During a recent US Congressional hearing on the fiscal 2027 budget for his office, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer identified tariff barriers as a primary focus in the ongoing trade negotiations with India. Greer emphasized the need for improved market access for American exports into India, citing specific issues like tariffs on apples.
Upcoming Bilateral Trade Agreement Discussions
Greer confirmed that the US has been actively engaging with Indian counterparts for over a year, including a recent meeting with the Indian Ambassador to the US. His comments precede a crucial round of in-person talks scheduled to take place in Washington D.C. from April 20 to 22.
An Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain, will participate in these discussions. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal stated that these meetings are a follow-up to a joint statement released on February 7, aiming to finalize the legal framework for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
India's Stance and Broader US Trade Context
India has expressed its willingness to finalize the initial framework of the BTA but indicated that the agreement's contours may need re-evaluation, particularly after the US Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs. Meanwhile, the US has also initiated Section 301 investigations into issues of excess capacity and forced labor impacting several countries, including India. India has rejected these charges and called for an end to the probes.
Greer highlighted broader US efforts to address unfair trade practices and reduce trade deficits, noting that President Donald Trump's administration has secured deals with numerous trading partners. These agreements, covering over half the world's population, aim to create significant new market access for American exports, particularly for farmers and manufacturers. The US is also looking to finalize more trade deals in the coming weeks with nations like the UK, EU, Japan, and South Korea.