US President Donald Trump stated that India has offered to eliminate all tariffs on American goods but emphasized that he is in no hurry to finalize a trade deal with the world’s fourth-largest economy.
In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier on Friday, Trump pointed to India as a country where he aims to reduce trade barriers for US exports.
“They make it almost impossible to do business. Do you know they’re willing to cut 100% of their tariffs for the United States?” Trump remarked.
When asked about the timeline for the deal, he responded, “That’ll come soon. I’m in no rush. Look, everybody wants to make a deal with us.” He added that he’s not planning to “make deals with everybody.”
However, news agency PTI reported that all eyes will be on the upcoming trade talks between Washington and Delhi. Indian delegates led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will meet their counterparts to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement (BTA).
During the four-day talks, Goyal is expected to meet with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The talks also came at a point when Trump — after announcing a surprise ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan — claimed that he had threatened to cut trade ties with both sides.
“I said, let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it we’re not going to do any trade,” Trump was quoted as telling reporters at the White House on Monday.
PTI reported that both countries will try to take advantage of the ongoing 90-day tariff pause to reach an interim agreement and score “early mutual wins” before the first phase of the trade deal is announced in October this year.
The US has suspended 26% levies on Indian imports until July 9, which Trump announced on April 2 to bridge the trade gap. The baseline tariff of 10% still stands.
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