Washington Calls India-US Trade Talks ‘Productive’ As Deal Nears Completion

The White House has described ongoing trade negotiations with India as ‘productive’, while Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said both countries had completed most discussions and were fine-tuning the proposed agreement.

White House spokesman Matthew Middleton told IANS that representatives of the Trump administration were continuing talks with Indian officials to secure a trade deal that prioritises American interests. He highlighted the close relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying both leaders remained committed to strengthening bilateral ties.

Speaking at the India-Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague on Monday, Goyal said, “We have concluded most of the discussions and are fine-tuning the agreement.”

Goyal is visiting Germany and the Netherlands with a business delegation. He further noted that India had concluded nine free trade agreements over the past four and a half years.

India and the US announced a framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade agreement on February 7, under which Washington reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent.

Subsequent changes in US tariff policy, including developments following a Supreme Court ruling, led to further negotiations.

Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee on October 1.

A team led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal subsequently held talks with US officials in Washington from October 15 to 17.

During his Mumbai visit on October 20, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two countries were close to an agreement, with only a few issues remaining unresolved.

Energy and Technology Purchases in Focus

Washington is seeking greater Indian purchases of American energy and technology. India has expressed its intention to buy $500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft and parts, precious metals, technology products and coking coal over five years. The US remains India’s largest trading partner.

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