India welcomed to world stage, but bilateral trade agreement needed with U.S.

Jan. 10, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging President Donald Trump to remove India from the General System of Preferences and to pursue a bilateral trade agreement instead:

“India has the sixth largest economy in the world at $2.45 trillion and is promoting further trade through its Make in India campaign. It is great that the government of India is rhetorically embracing free trade. However, reports of continued intellectual property, labor and tariff abuses by India remain rampant, threatening the sub-continent nation’s trade promises. Given India’s stated desire to enter the world’s economic system as a major player, it is time for President Trump to remove the $4.7 billion a year General System of Preferences treatment and negotiate a strong, enforceable, bilateral agreement. Everyone should welcome India onto the world stage, but to truly take her place, the nation must exit a trading system designed for the most underdeveloped economies. In 2015, Trump joined with Americans for Limited Government in opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership because the American people believe in reciprocity in trade and the same should apply with India. President Trump should expedite India’s economic maturation by stripping away the GSP.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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