In a major development for global economic relations, US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible breakthrough in the ongoing US-India trade talks. Speaking at the oval office during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India, Trump stated that negotiations between Washington and New Delhi are advancing rapidly and are close to achieving a fair trade agreement. He added that the United States is also considering tariff reductions on Indian goods to further strengthen bilateral ties.
“We’re making a deal with India — much different than we had before. Right now, they don’t love me, but they will love us again. We’re getting a fair deal. They’re very good negotiators, so Sergio, you’ll have to take a look at that. I think we’re pretty close to doing a deal that is good for everybody,” Trump said during the ceremony, emphasizing his optimism for a balanced outcome.
Later, in response to a reporter’s question about tariff policy, Trump stated, “At the moment, India is subject to extremely high tariffs due to Russian oil, which they no longer produce. It has significantly decreased. Yes, we will lower the tariffs. At some point, we’re going to be bringing them down.”
Highlighting the importance of bilateral relations, Trump praised India as “the largest country in the world and one of the oldest civilizations.” He further noted that Ambassador Gor has already built a positive relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reinforcing diplomatic cooperation between both nations.
Trade Talks Between the US and India Gain Strong Momentum
Trump’s comments come at a crucial juncture as India and the United States continue their high-level negotiations on the india-us Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). On November 5, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that discussions were progressing well but cautioned that several “sensitive and serious issues” still needed resolution before finalizing the deal.
“The discussions are proceeding quite smoothly. There are many sensitive and serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time,” Goyal told reporters, underlining the complexity of aligning economic priorities across two of the world’s largest democracies.
The proposed trade agreement, first introduced in February 2025, aims to significantly boost trade volumes between the two countries — from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. Negotiators have already completed five rounds of intensive discussions since March, including a virtual session on October 23, with hopes of signing a first-phase deal by the end of 2025.
| Key Trade Agreement Milestones | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal Introduced | February 2025 | Initial draft presented to boost bilateral trade between India and the US. |
| Trade Volume Target | 2030 | Increase trade from USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion. |
| Negotiation Rounds Completed | March–October 2025 | Five rounds completed, including one virtual round on October 23. |
| Indian Delegation Visit | September 2025 | Minister Piyush Goyal led a delegation to Washington for high-level discussions. |
| US Delegation Visit | September 2025 | US team led by Brendan Lynch held talks with India’s Department of Commerce in New Delhi. |
Key Figures Driving the Negotiations
During the September meetings in Washington, Piyush Goyal was accompanied by senior officials, including Rajesh Agrawal, Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary of the Indian delegation. Their talks focused on resolving differences related to tariff barriers, agricultural imports, and digital trade regulations.
At the same time, a US delegation led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, visited New Delhi for discussions described as “positive and forward-looking.” Officials from both sides agreed to accelerate efforts to reach a balanced trade framework that promotes mutual growth and investment opportunities.
Outlook: A Step Toward a New Trade Era
Both Washington and New Delhi are now optimistic about concluding the first phase of the trade pact by the end of 2025. Analysts believe that the agreement could open new avenues in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, defense, and clean energy, enhancing economic cooperation and supply-chain resilience between the two nations.
Should the tariff reductions materialize as Trump indicated, the move could boost Indian exports while improving market access for US companies seeking opportunities in South Asia’s fastest-growing economy. Experts suggest the deal may also strengthen strategic relations and reinforce the two nations’ positions as key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
With negotiations approaching a decisive phase, Trump’s assurance that “they will love us again” signals renewed optimism for a fair, long-term, and mutually beneficial trade partnership between the United States and India.
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