Piyush Goyal rejects Reuters report on India-US trade talks as 'false'
Synopsis
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal went directly on the offensive against a Reuters report, calling it 'completely false, baseless and misleading' — while the US ambassador simultaneously described the India-US trade deal as in its 'last one or two per cent.' The public rebuttals from both the minister and commerce secretary suggest New Delhi is keen to control the narrative as a landmark agreement inches toward the finish line.
Key Takeaways
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on 13 July called a Reuters report on India-US trade talks 'completely false, baseless and misleading' in a post on X .
Goyal described his June meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer in New Delhi as 'fantastic,' reaffirming both sides' commitment to a balanced deal.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said negotiations are 'progressing in the right direction' with 'no challenges' and the framework deal is 'ready for signing at an appropriate time.' Goyal earlier this month said the India-US BTA talks are in their 'final stage,' with 'concessions and other elements largely finalised.' US Ambassador Sergio Gor last month said the deal is in its 'last one or two per cent' after nearly 18 months of negotiations.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, 13 July publicly dismissed a Reuters report claiming that India had rejected a quick trade agreement with the United States during recent negotiations, calling the story 'completely false, baseless and misleading.' The minister's sharp rebuttal came hours after Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal separately told reporters that bilateral trade talks are progressing 'in the right direction.'
What Goyal Said
In a post on X, Goyal stated: 'This news is completely false, baseless and misleading.' He went on to describe his meetings with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer during Greer's visit to New Delhi in June as 'fantastic,' adding that 'both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries.' He further confirmed: 'Our teams remain fully engaged in achieving this objective.'
Commerce Secretary's Remarks
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said: 'We don't see any challenge in negotiations, and consultations are progressing in the right direction.' He added that 'both sides remain positive' and that the India-US framework trade deal is 'ready for signing at an appropriate time,' noting that energy imports from the US continue to strengthen bilateral trade ties.
Where the Negotiations Stand
Earlier this month, Goyal indicated that the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) talks have entered their 'final stage,' with most key issues resolved and both sides working towards a deal that, in his words, gives New Delhi an advantage over its competitors. He said he does not foresee 'any major hurdles' in concluding the agreement despite recent legal and policy developments in Washington, adding that 'concessions and other elements have largely been finalised.'
US Side Also Signals Near-Closure
Late last month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the proposed agreement as being in its 'last one or two per cent,' with negotiators working to resolve remaining issues after nearly 18 months of talks. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Gor said officials from both countries had 'intensified engagement in recent weeks to bring the agreement across the finish line.'
Context and What's Next
The Reuters report had characterised India as 'holding out for a better deal' — a framing that both the minister and the commerce secretary explicitly rejected. This is not the first time Indian officials have pushed back against international media characterisations of the negotiations; the pattern reflects the sensitivity around a deal that carries significant economic and geopolitical stakes for both sides. With both governments projecting confidence and the US ambassador citing near-completion, attention will now shift to whether a formal signing can be scheduled in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Yet a signing date remains elusive; that gap between confident rhetoric and an actual deal is what gives international media reports traction in the first place. The real question is not whether Reuters was right or wrong about a specific negotiating posture, but why, after 18 months, the 'last one or two per cent' has not yet been bridged. Until a signed agreement is on the table, the credibility of official optimism will continue to be tested each time a contrary report surfaces.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Piyush Goyal say about the Reuters report on India-US trade talks?
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on 13 July called the Reuters report 'completely false, baseless and misleading' in a post on X. He said his meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer in New Delhi in June were 'fantastic' and that both sides remain committed to a balanced, commercially meaningful agreement.
What is the current status of the India-US bilateral trade agreement?
According to Indian officials, the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) is in its final stage, with most key issues resolved and the framework deal described as 'ready for signing at an appropriate time.' US Ambassador Sergio Gor last month said the deal is in its 'last one or two per cent' after nearly 18 months of negotiations.
What did the Reuters report claim about India-US trade negotiations?
The Reuters report claimed that India had rejected a quick trade agreement with the US during recent negotiations and characterised India as 'holding out for a better deal.' Both Commerce Minister Goyal and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal publicly rejected this characterisation.
Who is USTR Jamieson Greer and what was his role in the talks?
Jamieson Greer is the United States Trade Representative. He visited New Delhi in June 2025 for trade discussions with Indian counterparts, after which Minister Goyal said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a deal that benefits businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries.
What did Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal say about the negotiations?
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said at a press conference on 13 July that consultations are 'progressing in the right direction' with no challenges, that both sides remain positive, and that energy imports from the US continue to strengthen bilateral trade ties.
