3 weeks ago
Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 07:57 IST
India and the US held their first in-person meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold negotiations on the trade agreement between the two countries as Trump's April 2 deadline for tariffs looms.
US President Donald Trump and PM Modi (Reuters Image)
As the first in-person trade agreement negotiations between India and the US began in the national capital on Wednesday, the trade officials from the United States have indicated to their Indian counterparts that India will not be treated like China, Mexico, and Canada.
The meeting came as Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on various products across nations are set to take effect on April 2. As he assumed office in January this year for a second term, Trump resumed a trade war with China while also triggering two new ones – with immediate neighbours and allies Canada and Mexico.
“It is now amply clear that the Trump administration does not club India with countries like China, Mexico, and Canada. There is a difference," one of the trade officials said, having knowledge of the ongoing negotiations, Hindustan Times reported.
The official highlighted the US’ “serious issues" with other trading partners like China, Mexico, and Canada relating to “currency manipulations, illegal migration and other security concerns".
“But with India it has only tariff issue, that too both are resolving amicably," the official added.
The ‘India-US Fast Track Mechanism’ discussions kickstarted on Wednesday between the Indian side headed by commerce ministry’s additional secretary Rajesh Agarwal and the US team led by assistant trade representative Brendan Lynch. They are expected to finalize the main framework of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by Friday, the report said.
Location : First Published:March 27, 2025, 07:57 IST
News india India Will Not Be Treated Like China, Mexico And Canada On Tariffs: US Officials
