Politics · India Bureau
US signals no imminent India trade deal; Modi, Trump to confer soon
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that a comprehensive trade agreement with India remains some distance away, though he said President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to speak again shortly to assess progress.
LSN India ·
Greer told reporters after the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee on Thursday that while negotiators have mapped out the key areas of disagreement, a breakthrough is not expected in the immediate term. "I would not characterise it as something imminent," he said, adding that both sides have identified "the universe of items" creating obstacles to a deal.
The US trade chief struck a more optimistic note about the overall trajectory of negotiations, describing the discussions as being in the "short strokes"—suggesting the end game of lengthy negotiations. He indicated that Trump and Modi would likely hold a phone call "very soon" to take stock of where talks stand.
Greer met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday evening during the G20 ministerial gathering and characterised their conversation as "very constructive." He noted that negotiating teams from both countries are continuing to work on finalising a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement. "Our staff is meeting right now, and we are continually trying to finish the trade deal with India," Greer said.