Freeway for Harleys? India floats tariff lower for iconic US bike on heels of Trump go to & potential commerce deal

India has provided to slash commerce levies on Harley-Davidson bikes forward of a state go to from US President Donald Trump later this month, who has hinted at signing a commerce take care of his Indian counterpart in the course of the journey.

Whereas New Delhi beforehand slapped a 100 p.c tariff on Harleys as a part of an ongoing commerce spat with Washington, they had been lower by half final 12 months. Trump, nonetheless, nonetheless deemed that “unacceptable,” insisting they arrive down additional. With a significant commerce deal now hanging within the stability, India seems prepared to satisfy that request – at the very least partially.

“The problem of Harley-Davidson is already resolved. We’ll cut back the obligation on the bikes above 1,600 cc to a single digit,” an official aware of the proposal instructed the Financial Occasions, although didn’t present any additional particulars about the place the levies would finally land.

India classifies motorbikes by their engine capability, measured in cubic centimeters (cc), at the moment damaged into 4 classes – 75, 250, 500, and 800cc and above. With the brand new proposal, India will create a brand new class of 1,600cc and above, and can solely decrease tariffs for that class of bikes. That would nonetheless imply a major drop in commerce duties, with India importing some $ 20.6 million in bikes 800cc and above between April and December of final 12 months, in keeping with the Financial Occasions.

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With President Trump slated to go to India on February 24 and keep in a single day, officers within the metropolis of Ahmedabad – situated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence state of Gujarat – are making large preparations for the drop-in. Tens of 1000’s of persons are anticipated to line a 22-kilometer stretch of street to greet the US president, in what town’s mayor mentioned might be the longest “roadshow” ever placed on for a visiting head of state.

“As per our estimate, over 50,000 individuals, together with BJP employees, would greet the leaders on your entire route,” the mayor mentioned. “Volunteers from 300 organisations and NGOs would additionally participate within the roadshow.”

Trump and Modi will handle an anticipated crowd of 100,000 individuals at a newly christened cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, which can turn out to be the world’s largest facility of its kind as soon as opened.

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