US Trade Representative Highlights "Best Offers Ever" from India in Agricultural Market Access Negotiations

India remains one of America's fastest-growing export destinations.

Washington:

The United States is engaged in intensive trade negotiations with India, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informing lawmakers that New Delhi has presented "the best offers we've ever received as a country" in ongoing discussions aimed at expanding market access for American agricultural products, including grain sorghum and soy.

During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Greer mentioned that a USTR team was currently "in New Delhi, as we speak," working through sensitive agricultural barriers.

He acknowledged that "there is resistance in India... to certain row crops," but emphasized that India's latest proposals represented an unusual opening. "They've been quite forward-leaning," he told Senators in response to a question.

Greer indicated that India was now "a viable alternative market" for US commodities at a time when American producers are facing accumulating inventories and inconsistent demand from China. "We have to find a way to manage that trade," he stated, noting that India represents a promising but historically challenging market to "crack."

Committee Chair Jerry Moran, who expressed concerns about diminishing options for Kansas farmers, questioned Greer about diversifying export destinations to reduce dependence on China. Highlighting large stockpiles, Moran remarked: "It's such a difficult country to crack." Greer responded that diplomatic and commercial engagement with India had progressed further than during previous administrations.

Greer explained that India's engagement was occurring alongside a global realignment of US trade relationships aimed at reducing deficits and establishing reciprocal access. "We're opening market access all over the world in places like Southeast Asia and even in Europe," he stated. These new opportunities, he argued, strengthen Washington's position with major partners such as India and help farmers secure "structural constant access."

Greer also indicated that broader tariff and market-access issues would be addressed with India in sectors beyond agriculture. When asked about the future of zero-tariff commitments for civil aviation parts under the 1979 Aircraft Agreement, he said discussions with India were "fairly far advanced," adding: "We can certainly talk about extending treatment to those countries... if they're willing to play ball and come to the table and give the United States the market access it should have."

Moran also identified India as a potential significant buyer of ethanol derived from US corn and soy. While Greer did not elaborate specifically on India, he noted that "a lot of other countries... have agreed to open their markets for US ethanol." He added that the European Union had committed to purchase "$750 billion in US energy products" over several years, including biofuels.

Several senators expressed concerns about the challenges facing American farmers amid unpredictable tariffs and fluctuating Chinese purchases. Greer maintained that the administration's push for reciprocal deals was creating new opportunities for exporters, saying the United States was "breaking the mold of conventional wisdom in Washington" and securing commitments from trading partners on tariffs, regulatory barriers, and FDA acceptance for medicines.

Throughout the hearing, Greer consistently returned to the administration's view that assertive negotiation, including tariffs, remains essential to enforcing commitments and unlocking markets. "They respond to enforcement," he said. "That's how we're able to generate compliance and market opening."

It is noteworthy that India–US trade relations have grown substantially over the past decade, with the two governments negotiating market access across agriculture, digital services, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

India continues to be one of America's fastest-growing export destinations, though agriculture still faces longstanding tariff and sanitary restrictions, according to officials.

Talks have accelerated following the launch of the US–India Strategic Trade Dialogue and ongoing frameworks connected to the Indo-Pacific Economic agenda, as both governments pursue supply-chain diversification and deeper commercial integration amid geopolitical realignments.