Are More Negotiations Required with India for a Trade Deal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Further negotiations are required to finalize a trade deal with India.
- The August 1 deadline for reciprocal tariffs is approaching.
- India has expressed strong interest in market opening.
- US Trade Representative emphasizes the need for constructive discussions.
- Potential tariffs could reach 26 percent if no deal is reached.
New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) The US administration has announced that further negotiations are essential with India to finalize a bilateral trade agreement, as the August 1 deadline for reciprocal tariffs approaches.
In a recent interview with CNBC, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized that additional discussions are necessary to reach a trade deal with New Delhi.
Greer stated, "We continue to engage with our Indian counterparts, and our discussions have always been constructive."
He noted that India has shown strong interest in opening segments of their market.
Greer remarked, "We are certainly open to ongoing talks. However, we require more negotiations with our Indian colleagues to gauge their ambition in this matter."
He elaborated that India's trade policy has historically been focused on protecting its domestic market, which shapes their business approach.
Greer also mentioned that China's readiness to engage in trade talks with the US is a positive indicator, though he does not anticipate any significant breakthroughs.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal previously indicated that a deal could be established to prevent 26 percent tariffs.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman added last week that trade discussions with the US are progressing positively. "I can’t comment on the quality of bilateral trade, but we are making strides in our negotiations with the US and EU," she stated.
US President Donald Trump has remarked that the US is very close to finalizing a trade agreement with India, suggesting it may be concluded shortly. "We're very close to a deal with India, where they will be opening up to imports from us," he noted earlier this month.
Trump has not issued India the tariffs notification that has been sent to several countries, which could impose tariffs as high as 35 percent on trade if no agreement is reached by August 1.