Executive officials said negotiations are ongoing and could lead to positive outcomes to reduce trade barriers and tariffs.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump told White House reporters Tuesday that negotiations with India are ongoing on tariffs and trade as his administration is working on strategically and extremely to alleviate global trade tensions.
“India is making a huge appearance,” Trump said on the south lawn for a rally to celebrate his first 100 days before boarding the Marines on his way to Michigan. “I think we’ll sign a deal with India.”
He said he talked Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had positive results.
The President actively restructured the country’s foreign trade agreements by using his first three months to impose mutual tariffs of various amounts on all US imports. He then suspended taxation for 90 days to make time for negotiations, but left a 10% baseline tariff for most countries.
After weeks of behind the scenes and trading, India is now emerging as a key ally in Trump’s re-proofreading strategy.
Related Stories
“American Asian trading partners and allies are closest to doing business,” Bescent said. It should be noted that India’s existing trade strategy is easier to manage than other countries that use many indirect policies to limit trade.
“Non-tariff trade barriers can be much more insidious and difficult to detect,” he said. “So it’s like a country I think India’s trade negotiations are working well, as posted and ready India has become much easier to negotiate with them. ”
Vice President JD Vance met with India and Modi last week, particularly about the proposed 26% tariff on Indian goods.
“I think he and Modi have made very good progress,” Bescent said. “So we were able to see some announcements about India.”
He further mentioned the progress of the discussion between Korea and Japan.
Trump’s “America First” trade policy measures were followed by massive volatility in the global stock market. Trump declared a national emergency on April 2, imposing tariffs of 10% in some countries to 50% in others. China, which chose to retaliate with its own tariffs, went back and forth with the US, which took 145% of 145% of the collection on most Chinese products.
On April 9, the president announced a 90-day suspension on mutual tariffs in all countries except China.
India’s aggressive negotiation strategy is rooted in need and opportunities, with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding $129 billion in 2024, equivalent to a $50 billion trade surplus benefiting the world’s most populous country.
India is reportedly ready to rely on exports of electronics, marine products, gems and gemstones to provide concessions to tariff-related economic losses.
Called “the king of tariffs” by Trump, India cut missions for some US-made products, including bourbon whiskey and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, providing a total of $23 billion in tariff cuts on medical devices and some produce.
News of the imminent deal will be announced as Modi, who visited the White House in February, will discuss raising trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030.
“President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are committed to achieving our ambitious vision for a lasting India-US partnership that will maintain high levels of engagement between government, industry and academic institutions, and promote our people’s aspirations for a bright and prosperous future, and to contribute to a free and open Indian Passic.
Trump is also trying to sell volumes of liquefied natural gas and national security and defense equipment to Asian countries.
Indian officials are calling for expanded manufacturing investments to strengthen electronics and semiconductor companies.
As both countries are looking to establish a post-China supply chain, market analysts are checking whether leaders can navigate domestic economic challenges while adjusting mutual benefits.
