{ "error": "", "type": "text", "title": "United States Wins WTO Challenge to Indian Export Subsidies", "slug": "united-states-wins-wto-challenge-to-indian-export-subsidies", "text": "
\"A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel agreed with the United States that India provides prohibited export subsidies to Indian exporters worth over $7 billion annually. According to the panel, India gives prohibited subsidies to producers of steel products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, information technology products, textiles, and apparel, to the detriment of American workers and manufacturers. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a resounding victory for the United States,\u201d said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. \u201cUnder the leadership of President Trump, the United States is using every available tool, including WTO enforcement actions, to ensure American workers are able to compete on a level playing field.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The Indian programs found in violation of WTO rules are: the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS); Export Oriented Units Scheme and related sector specific schemes (EOU); Special Economic Zones (SEZ); Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG); and a duty free imports for exporters program (DFIS). The panel gave India six months to withdraw these prohibited subsidies. <\/p>\n According to the Indian Government, thousands of Indian companies are receiving subsidies totaling over $7 billion annually from these programs, and India has increased the size and scope of these programs. For example, India has rapidly expanded the MEIS to include more than 8,000 eligible products, nearly double the number of products covered since its introduction in 2015. Exports under the SEZ have increased over 6,000 percent from 2000 to 2017 and in 2016 accounted for over $82 billion in exports, or 30 percent of India\u2019s export volume. Exports from the EOU increased by over 160 percent from 2000 to 2016.\" <\/p>",
"quote": null,
"citation": "