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Sen. Cantwell, Indian Consul General celebrate successful apple export in Seattle
Cantwell played a pivotal role in advocating for the cessation of these retaliatory tariffs.
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Senator Cantwell, Consul General Prakash Gupta and others gathered at the Port of Seattle for the apple growers’ press conference. / Image - US Senator Maria Cantwell
US Senator Maria Cantwell recently celebrated a highly successful apple shipping season, the first since India dropped its 20 percent retaliatory tariff on American-grown apples.
She was joined by Prakash Gupta, the Consul General of the newly-opened India Consulate in Seattle, apple growers from Central Washington, and labor and port officials.
"Apples are the pride of the Washington agricultural economy. They are known worldwide," said Sen Cantwell, in a press conference marking the occasion.
"Today is a celebration, because for five years now, we have not seen the volume of apples leaving these docks and traveling to India. This is a new day in trade relations between the United States and India," she added stressing that she is committed to growing the Washington-India relationship across other areas including agriculture.
Cantwell played a pivotal role in advocating for the cessation of the retaliatory tariffs, that were in 2019, and significantly impacted the apple export market from Washington state to India.
Prior to the tariffs, Washington growers exported apples worth $120 million to India. However, during the lowest period, exports dropped to less than $1 million.
In February 2023, Cantwell addressed the issue of tariffs directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to India as part of a senatorial delegation. “To my great interest, [Modi] said the U.S. and India should consider a Free Trade Agreement,” she later recalled.
“[Consul General] I want you to know we are very committed to growing the Washington-India relationship on many fronts. In aviation, in technology, in healthcare, and especially in agriculture,” Cantwell said during the presser.
“Today is a celebration because for five years now we have not seen this volume of apples leaving these docks and traveling to India. This is a guarantee that they are going to reach their destination and have shelf space. That means we want more shelf space. We want them to be a permanent part of the Indian economy and we want to grow the relationship,” she added.
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