By The Sampadak Express
Former US President Donald Trump has reiterated that India is willing to eliminate 100% of its tariffs on American goods, suggesting that a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries could be finalized soon. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump emphasized that while talks are progressing, he is in no hurry to sign the deal.“
They make it almost impossible to do business. Do you know that they’re willing to cut 100 percent of their tariffs for the United States?” Trump said, once again labeling India as “one of the highest tariff nations in the world.”
When asked about the timing of the potential trade deal, Trump responded, “That’ll come soon. I’m in no rush… Everybody wants to make a deal with us.”
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to Trump’s assertions, stating that trade negotiations between the two countries are ongoing but complex. “These are complicated negotiations. Nothing is decided till everything is,” Jaishankar said at a press briefing. “Any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial; it has to work for both countries.”
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington, engaging with key US officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, to assess progress on the proposed agreement.
India is seeking greater market access and tariff reductions for sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, plastics, chemicals, seafood, and agricultural products like bananas and grapes. The US, on the other hand, is pushing for lower tariffs on items including industrial goods, electric vehicles, wines, dairy products, petrochemicals, and certain agricultural exports like apples and tree nuts.
As talks continue, both nations aim to finalize a deal that will strengthen their economic ties while addressing key concerns from both sides.
