White House Lists India Among Countries With New US Trade Deals Despite Pact Yet To Be Signed

The White House has listed India among the countries with which US President Donald Trump claims to have secured new and improved trade agreements, despite both countries yet to sign the interim pact announced in February.

The claim features in a document titled ‘President Trump’s Second Term: Promises Made, Promises Kept, Results Delivered’, published on the White House website on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s US midterm elections.

The document lists 127 commitments that the Trump administration claims to have fulfilled.

“By using tariffs as leverage, President Trump secured new and improved trade agreements with major US trading partners covering more than half of global GDP,” the document stated, naming India alongside the United Kingdom, European Union, Japan, China, South Korea and several Southeast Asian countries.

The India reference links to a February fact sheet titled ‘The United States and India Announce Historic Trade Deal’.

The joint statement issued by both governments on February 6 announced a framework for an interim agreement rather than a concluded trade pact.

The statement said both countries would work towards finalising the interim arrangement and subsequently pursue a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement (BTA).

India agreed to cut tariffs on US industrial and select farm goods, while Washington set an 18 per cent tariff on Indian imports and offered exemptions for certain exports, subject to finalisation.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on October 15 that the first tranche was finalised and undergoing legal drafting.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said signing would follow legal vetting, without giving a date.

The White House released its 127-point achievement list ahead of the US midterm elections, covering immigration, the economy, energy and foreign policy.

Also Read: From UAE Honour To Israel’s Award: Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Recognised For Bravery