U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal agreed to continue working to resolve outstanding trade issues "to reach convergence in the near future," according to a joint statement released Nov. 23 at the conclusion of the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in New Delhi. Both countries discussed wanting better treatment of their exports. "India highlighted its interest in restoration of its beneficiary status under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences program; the United States noted that this could be considered, as warranted, in relation to the eligibility criteria determined by the U.S. Congress."

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said she hears frequently from stakeholders about "market access restrictions, high tariffs, unpredictable regulatory requirements, and restrictive digital trade measures" in India, and said those are issues "where we need to make progress."

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Deputy USTR Sarah Bianchi stressed the importance of rapidly resolving trade concerns when they arise through the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and talked about the president's vision for a new economic framework in the Indo-Pacific when they talked with Korea's trade minister, Yeo Han-koo. They agreed to communicate better to support trade facilitation, and to deal with supply chain challenges, emerging technologies and digital trade. According to the U.S. summary of the visit, Tai talked about the challenge posed by market-distorting excess capacity in steel and aluminum. According to the Korea Herald, quoting the Korean trade ministry, Korea asked for the chance to change the tariff rate quotas it earlier agreed to on steel. "We once again delivered our stance and concerns regarding the Section 232 rules, and demanded that the two sides begin negotiations at an early date," the ministry said in a statement. Tai and Yeo also heard from industry representatives on supply chain resiliency and how to foster more sustainable trade.

Plans to increase a tax credit for electric vehicles containing a U.S.-made battery if the car was assembled in a U.S., union-represented plant is a source of worry for Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in French Nov. 18 at a news conference after the North American Leaders' Summit, according to a story from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "This would be quite a problem for vehicle production in Canada," he said. "We stressed this with the Americans throughout our conversations. They've heard us loud and clear." The provisions are part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House the following day on Nov. 19.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with Trade Minister Hagiuda Koichi Nov. 15, and talked about strengthening supply chains, export controls and cooperating on digital technologies -- and talked about how to cooperate to confront excess capacity in steel and aluminum. Japanese exports of steel face a 25% tariff in the U.S., and after the U.S. agreed to tariff rate quotas on steel with Europe, Japan asked to get a similar deal.

The former minister counselor for trade affairs in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing told an audience that in the last few years, Chinese government officials "feel like they've outflanked us on the trade front." James Green, who was speaking on a Flexport webinar on the future of U.S.-China trade policy, said that officials were pleasantly surprised that the tariffs on most exports to the U.S. did not hurt their economy more. And, he said, between sealing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and applying to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, they also feel like they have other options for exporting when things with the U.S. sour.

Ahead of a planned trip to India Nov. 22 by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the Alliance for Trade Enforcement is asking her to make sure that the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum "eliminates significant trade barriers in India to expand economic opportunities for U.S. workers and businesses."

The United Kingdom could enter the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership relatively quickly, former trade officials said. While items still need to be addressed in the negotiation process, which began in September (see 2109280018), they said the U.K. shouldn't face too many hurdles and most members support the U.K.’s accession.

Australia, New Zealand and Thailand officially ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, paving the way for a range of tariff and trade benefits with 12 other countries in the Asia Pacific region. The deal is scheduled to enter into force Jan. 1, 2022. Thailand submitted its ratification Oct. 28, the Bangkok Post reported Nov. 1. Australia and New Zealand ratified it Nov. 2, Australia’s foreign ministry said. The large trade deal will expand market access for RCEP member countries and includes provisions on intellectual property, e-commerce, competition and more (see 2011160028).

South Korea and the Philippines recently finished negotiating a free trade deal and expect to sign the agreement in February, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Nov. 1. South Korea will lift tariffs on 94.8% of Philippines‑sourced products, and the Philippines will cut tariffs on 96.5% of South Korean goods. The two countries had been close to a deal since 2019 (see 1912110023).