Saturday, March 29, 2025
Trump Signals Flexibility
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with India, stating that discussions are progressing “very well” and a deal could be finalized soon. Speaking to reporters outside the White House before a rally in Michigan, Trump indicated that both nations are moving closer to a comprehensive trade agreement.
According to a Reuters report, Trump also mentioned that during the current 90-day tariff freeze, he is planning a visit to Africa and intends to hold talks with Australian officials.
Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said India could be among the first nations to sign a trade agreement with the United States, although he did not share further details.
In a separate interview, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the Trump administration has finalized its part of the trade deal with India and is now waiting for approval from the Indian Prime Minister and Parliament. “The deal is ready… but I have to wait for clearance from the Indian Prime Minister and his Parliament,” he told CNBC.
India and the U.S. began working on the first phase of a trade deal earlier this year, aiming to finalize it by the end of 2025. The broader objective is to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
This development follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in February, during which he met with President Trump. Both leaders agreed to accelerate discussions on the trade agreement and resolve ongoing tariff-related differences. During the same period, Trump had imposed a 26% retaliatory tariff on certain Indian goods but later announced a 90-day relief period to create space for negotiations.
Despite the momentum, the Indian government has clarified that national interests will not be compromised under any agreement. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that India will not bow to external pressure and will prioritize the welfare of its citizens above all.
