US focused on fair trade deal with India that benefits both countries, embassy says Goyal, Greer open BTA talks | Today’s news
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in New Delhi on June 23 to take forward talks on an interim agreement initially initiated by US President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An official statement from the US Embassy in India said it remains focused on securing a fair, reciprocal trade agreement that opens markets for US exporters and benefits both nations.
Read also | Piyush Goyal meets Jamieson Greer: What’s on the agenda?
The high-level meeting at Vanijya Bhawan focused on progress on the interim agreement and a broader bilateral trade agreement, the embassy said. Ambassador Greer was accompanied by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore and a senior US trade delegation for important discussions.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Key goals of the BTA include reducing tariffs, opening markets to American exporters, and creating a mutually beneficial trade environment that increases economic opportunities for both countries.
The Interim Trade Agreement is significant as it lays the foundation for a comprehensive BTA, addresses market access issues and allows the two nations to deepen their economic ties.
The proposed BTA plans to reduce US tariffs on Indian products from 25% to 18% and proposes that India reduce tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods in return.
Yes, Indian exporters should be optimistic as the two countries are in talks to finalize a trade deal soon to improve access to the US market for various industries.
A US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the legal basis for some of the tariffs prompted both countries to reassess the framework of the trade agreement to ensure its viability in the new customs environment.
“@USTradeRep Jamieson Greer and India’s Secretary of Commerce and Industry @PiyushGoyal met today in New Delhi to advance negotiations on an interim agreement launched by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. The United States remains focused on securing a fair, reciprocal trade agreement that will open markets for US exporters and benefit both nations,” the embassy said.
India and the US formally opened negotiations on the BTA on 13 February 2025, and the first glimmer of an emerging agreement came in a joint statement between India and the US issued on 6 February 2026.
Goyal had earlier welcomed US officials at the Commerce Department and expressed optimism about the future of trade relations. He also welcomed the presence of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore and the adjacent US delegation for being part of the ongoing discussions.
Welcome to Amb Greer: Goyal
“We warmly welcome @USTradeRep Amb Jamieson Greer, @USAmbIndia Amb Sergio Gor and their delegation to @DoC_GoI. We look forward to productive discussions on the India-US bilateral trade agreement.”
Gor said on Tuesday that continued discussions would pave the way for finalizing a US-India trade deal.
“Great to be with Minister @PiyushGoyal & @USTradeRep Ambassador Greer in New Delhi today. Continued discussions to finalize US-India trade deal,” Gor said.
Read also | US Trade Representative Greer will visit India this week for key trade talks
In another post on X, Gor welcomed US Trade Ambassador (USTR) Jamieson Greer’s visit to India, saying the finalization of the bilateral trade agreement “will unlock new economic opportunities for both countries and significantly deepen the US-India economic partnership.”
“Welcome to India, @USTradeRep Ambassador Greer! Great to have you here as we advance our ambitious trade agenda. We are firmly on track to complete a strong bilateral trade agreement that will unlock new economic opportunities for both countries and greatly deepen the US-India economic partnership,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Greer reached Vanijaya Bhavan in New Delhi to meet Goyal on Tuesday to discuss the interim agreement and the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
The high-level discussion will focus on the US-India joint statement and the interim agreement, which is part of broader bilateral trade talks.
The meeting followed chief negotiator-level discussions on the pact held earlier this month (June 2-4) in the state capital.
“My counterpart will come to Delhi tomorrow to discuss the trade deal with the US,” Goyal told reporters in Mumbai on Monday. India is seeking a competitive advantage for its exporters over rival countries in the proposed trade deal with the US, Goyal added.
The talks today follow a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France, where both leaders pushed for an accelerated timetable.
The United States remains focused on securing a fair, reciprocal trade agreement that will open markets to American exporters and benefit both nations.
From New Delhi, Greer travels to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to meet with President Mirziyoyev, Chief of Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyev and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev.
