Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Sep 16: Even before India and the United States resumed trade negotiations, Washington turned up the pressure with a warning over corn imports. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick cautioned that New Delhi could face a “tough time” accessing the American market if it refuses to buy US-grown corn.

In an interview with Axios, Lutnick accused India of blocking American products while selling freely to the US. “They sell to us and take advantage of us. Why won’t 1.4 billion people buy one bushel of US corn?” he said, adding that President Donald Trump wants India to lower tariffs and “treat us the way we treat you.”

India currently bans the import and cultivation of genetically modified corn, which makes up most of the US crop, to prevent GM varieties from entering the food chain. A NITI Aayog proposal to grow GM corn for ethanol was shelved earlier for the same reason.

Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 per cent and imposed a 25 per cent duty on Indian purchases of Russian oil, while criticising India’s continued imports of Russian crude. New Delhi has called these actions “unfair and unjustified,” insisting its energy decisions are guided by national interest.

Despite weeks of friction, Trump recently signalled a thaw, saying he looked forward to speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to finalise a trade deal. US negotiators are expected in New Delhi this week, even as Lutnick’s remarks underscore the tension ahead of fresh talks.

US farm groups, facing reduced Chinese orders amid the US-China trade war, are keen to find new markets like India. Washington’s push to sell corn is seen as a move to support American farmers struggling with falling exports and rising bankruptcies.