U.S., India Talk Trade as New Tariffs Hit

South Asia Brief on where bilateral negotiations stand.

By , the writer of Foreign Policy’s weekly South Asia Brief and the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center.

U.S. and Indian officials concluded an initial round of discussions on a bilateral trade deal in New Delhi over the weekend. Talks regarding specific sectors are expected in the next few weeks. The two countries committed to pursuing a deal in February, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

The time frame is tight, with an agreement on the first phase of a trade agreement targeted for the fall. Trade negotiations are especially urgent for India because they are playing out against Washington’s new reciprocal tariffs, which Trump was expected to unveil on Wednesday.

U.S. and Indian officials concluded an initial round of discussions on a bilateral trade deal in New Delhi over the weekend. Talks regarding specific sectors are expected in the next few weeks. The two countries committed to pursuing a deal in February, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

The time frame is tight, with an agreement on the first phase of a trade agreement targeted for the fall. Trade negotiations are especially urgent for India because they are playing out against Washington’s new reciprocal tariffs, which Trump was expected to unveil on Wednesday.

The levies could hit India hard: The country has a nearly $50 billion trade deficit with the United States in its favor. New Delhi’s tariff rates are among the world’s highest; on average, it currently charges more than 10 percent more on U.S. imports than the United States charges on Indian imports. Trump has repeatedly singled out India as a tariff offender.

The U.S.-India trade deal is intended to reduce both tariff and nontariff barriers, meaning that reaching an agreement could help blunt the effects of any new U.S. duties on India’s economy. However, the trade talks will be a slog. India has already committed to increasing imports of U.S. goods, but important Indian economic considerations might make New Delhi unwilling to purchase as much as Washington would like.

Source: Foreignpolicy.com

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Stuart Turley is President and CEO of Sandstone Group, a top energy data, and finance consultancy working with companies all throughout the energy value chain. Sandstone helps both small and large-cap energy companies to develop customized applications and manage data workflows/integration throughout the entire business. With experience implementing enterprise networks, supercomputers, and cellular tower solutions, Sandstone has become a trusted source and advisor.   He is also the Executive Publisher of www.energynewsbeat.com, the best source for 24/7 energy news coverage, and is the Co-Host of the energy news video and Podcast Energy News Beat. Energy should be used to elevate humanity out of poverty. Let's use all forms of energy with the least impact on the environment while being sustainable without printing money. Stu is also a co-host on the 3 Podcasters Walk into A Bar podcast with David Blackmon, and Rey Trevino. Stuart is guided by over 30 years of business management experience, having successfully built and help sell multiple small and medium businesses while consulting for numerous Fortune 500 companies. He holds a B.A in Business Administration from Oklahoma State and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.
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