Piyush Goyal to Visit US for G20 Trade Meeting, Hold Talks on Interim India-US Deal
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Commerce Minister to meet US counterpart as negotiations on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement continue
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will begin a seven-day visit to the United States on Tuesday to attend the G20 Trade Ministerial and hold bilateral discussions with his US counterpart. The visit is expected to focus on advancing the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and finalising an interim deal.
The G20 Trade Ministerial is scheduled to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday and Thursday. Goyal will also travel to Chicago and New York during the visit.
Bilateral Talks to Focus on Trade Opportunities
According to a press release issued by the commerce ministry on Monday, Goyal will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 meeting.
“On the sidelines of the (G20) meeting, Goyal will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts. The engagements will focus on expanding opportunities for farmers, fishermen, women entrepreneurs, startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other enterprises,” the commerce ministry said.
The minister will also hold discussions with his US counterpart as part of ongoing negotiations on the India-US BTA.
“Shri Piyush Goyal will also engage bilaterally with his counterpart from the United States as part of ongoing efforts to advance a balanced and mutually beneficial India-US BTA and finalise an interim deal in line with the joint statement of February 7, 2026,” the ministry said.
India-US Tariff Negotiations Continue
India and the US issued a joint statement on the first tranche of the agreement in February this year, agreeing to a lower reciprocal tariff of 18 per cent on Indian goods.
The US Supreme Court subsequently scrapped the legal basis for the reciprocal tariff. Since then, India and the US have conducted several rounds of negotiations to revise the terms of the agreement.
New Delhi has maintained over the past few months that it is waiting for Washington to establish a mechanism that would provide India with a tariff advantage over competing economies under the proposed deal. Goyal has reiterated this position several times, including last week.
US Tariff Measures Add to Trade Negotiation Agenda
The latest bilateral discussions come after the US passed a law authorising President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India in connection with its energy purchases from Russia.
Trump has yet to announce a final decision on the tariff, including its rate and coverage.
In addition to the tariff threat under the Lindsey O Graham Act, the US is conducting a Section 301 investigation into India over allegations of excess capacity under the US Trade Act.
Section 301 permits the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate foreign trade practices that it considers unfair or harmful to US commerce.
The USTR office has already imposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on Indian goods following the conclusion of a separate Section 301 investigation in July. The investigation alleged forced labour in the supply chain.
Forced labour and excess capacity are also included in the agenda for discussions at the G20 Trade Ministerial.
Goyal to Meet US Business Leaders
During his visit, Goyal will meet chief executives of leading US companies from the manufacturing, consumer goods, agribusiness, retail and technology sectors in Milwaukee and Chicago, according to the commerce ministry.
He will also participate in business and startup roundtables, discuss investment and manufacturing opportunities in India, and invite US-based companies to strengthen partnerships with Indian enterprises.
“The visit is expected to further strengthen the trade and investment partnership between India and the United States and deepen India’s engagement with its G20 partners,” the ministry said.