US Delegation to Visit India Next Week for Critical Trade Agreement Negotiations

Trump indicated last month he would eventually reduce tariffs on Indian products.

A delegation of negotiators from the Trump administration, headed by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, is scheduled to visit India next week to advance discussions on a potential trade agreement, according to information from a US official.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided no additional information regarding the delegation's upcoming visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration is keen to conclude an initial agreement with President Donald Trump's government to reduce the 50 percent tariffs imposed on Indian goods, which have negatively impacted crucial sectors of India's economy.

"We remain very optimistic and hopeful about reaching a solution within this calendar year," stated Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal during an industry event last week. "The primary need is to establish a framework trade deal that effectively addresses the reciprocal tariffs."

The United States and India have been developing a trade understanding intended for implementation in multiple phases, with the initial phase addressing the retaliatory duties Trump placed on Indian products. The current 50 percent rate includes penalties the US president applied in response to India's Russian oil purchases.

Following increased tensions earlier this year, Trump has adopted a more positive tone regarding Modi and commended his decision to reduce crude imports from Russia. This shift has created potential opportunities for tariff relief.

Last month, Trump stated he would reduce duties on Indian products "at some point" and mentioned that both countries were "pretty close" to reaching a trade agreement. Teams from both nations have conducted multiple meetings in recent months, and officials in New Delhi have expressed careful optimism about the prospect of finalizing a deal.

The United States represents India's largest export market, and the high import taxes have severely affected labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather goods, footwear, and jewelry.