India-US Trade Talks to Continue Until Mid-Saturday
Trump Administration Pressure Extends Negotiations
New Delhi: The India-US trade talks will continue until mid-Saturday due to pressure from the Trump administration. Initially scheduled to conclude on Friday, the negotiations will now extend into the following day. Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative, is leading the US team, while Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary in the Commerce Department, is heading the Indian delegation.
US Requests and Indian Worries
- The US has presented a lengthy list of demands, including apples, corn, coffee, raisins, walnuts, almonds, flowers, and whiskey.
- American businesses have expressed concerns over high tariffs on canned peaches, pecans, potatoes, frozen French fries, and other processed goods.
- The Trump administration is also seeking solutions to import licensing and quality control orders, which they argue are barriers to trade.
- Indian industry supports tariff cuts, but the government is hesitant in the auto and farm sectors.
- Agricultural products may be politically challenging to handle, as the opposition has already accused the government of reducing levies under US pressure.
Reciprocal Tariffs and Potential Consequences
Niti Aayog Programme Director Pravakar Sahoo stated that reciprocal tariffs by the US will not significantly impact India and may create opportunities for the country. The government aims to finalize the first part of the deal by September-October, in line with the deadline set by Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
