Interim trade pact discussions to focus on tariffs, market access, customs and trade facilitation measures

India and the United States are set to hold trade negotiations in New Delhi from June 1 to 4 to finalise details of an interim trade agreement and advance discussions on a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The US delegation will be led by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

A US trade delegation headed by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch will visit New Delhi from June 1 to 4 for discussions related to an interim trade agreement between India and the United States.

The negotiations will focus on multiple areas, including market access, non-tariff measures, customs procedures, trade facilitation, investment promotion and economic security alignment, according to a statement issued by the Department of Commerce.

The upcoming meeting will mark the first in-person round of talks aimed at finalising the interim trade agreement based on the framework agreed during discussions held in Washington on February 8 and later from April 21–23.

Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Rajan Jain will lead the Indian side during the negotiations.

Under the agreed framework, the United States had proposed lowering additional duties on India to 18% from 50% in exchange for increased market access in industrial and agricultural products.

However, before the framework agreement could be formalised, the US Supreme Court invalidated country-specific reciprocal tariffs. Following the ruling, the US imposed a 10% additional tariff on all trade partners from February 24 under Section 122 of the Trade Act. These tariffs are expected to remain in force until July 24.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that discussions with India had been meaningful and indicated that both countries were working towards concluding the agreement.

“We have had many meaningful discussions. We have a framework agreement done with the Indians. I have a team going there next week,” US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said during an interaction with the American think tank Council on Foreign Relations.

“I expect to meet with my counterparts [Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal] as soon as well. I would really like to be in a position to finalise our agreement with them as well on the basis of the joint framework we agreed to. It would be historic for the US and India,” he added.

Greer also said that the office of the US Trade Representative is currently conducting two investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act — one related to extra capacities and another concerning the use of forced labour.