Our Bureau
Jaipur
US Vice President JD Vance has requested India to lower certain non-tariff barriers that make for a difficult market access for American companies, citing it as a necessary step toward before finalising a comprehensive trade agreement between the two countries. Indian products too face these issues in the international markets including in America, EU, China, Japan, and Korea.
Speaking at a public address in Jaipur, he said, “India should consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market.” “Our governments are hard at work on trade agreements, and we’ve already finalised the terms of reference for a deal,” Vance added.
Non-tariff barriers are trade restrictions that do not involve tariffs (taxes or duties on imports or exports). These barriers restrict a seamless movement of goods across global boundaries. It is essential to differentiate between non-tariff measures (NTMs) and NTBs.
Most NTMs are domestic rules created by countries for protecting human, animal or plant health and the environment. When NTMs become arbitrary, beyond scientific justification, they create hurdles for trade and are called NTBs.
In his address, Vance also said that Washington is eager to collaborate more with New Delhi across sectors ranging from energy and defence to critical minerals and high-tech manufacturing. He also acknowledged energy cooperation between the two countries and said that Trump administration is keen on expanding affordable and reliable energy exports to India. “This administration recognises cheap dependable energy — we want to sell it to India,” he said. He further added, ““We want to help India explore offshore gas reserves and critical mineral supplies.”
Vance also emphasised shared strategic concerns, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and stated, “India and the U.S. both know the region must remain safe from any hostile powers.” Strengthening defense ties, he added, was essential to securing that goal.
