Trump hints at India trade deal with ‘much less tariffs’ amid stalemate: ‘Going to be different…’

The White House had earlier confirmed that the US and India are close to finalising a significant bilateral trade agreement

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence over the India-US trade deal, emphasising that the agreement would involve “much less tariffs”. He said it will allow both countries to compete on a more even footing.

“I think we are going to have a deal with India. And that is going to be a different kind of a deal. It is going to be a deal where we are able to go in and compete,” Trump said.

“Right now, India does not accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we are going to have a deal for much less tariffs,” he added.

India and the US have been negotiating over a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before the critical July 9 deadline of the 90-day pause on tariff escalations.

India, meanwhile, has toughened its position on issues related to agriculture and dairy as high-stakes trade negotiations with the US enter a crucial phase, government sources confirmed on Monday.

The Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has extended its stay in Washington, D.C., beyond the originally planned talks on Thursday and Friday, as both sides race to finalise an interim trade agreement ahead of the July 9 deadline, according to ANI.

The urgency over the matter comes as Indian exports could face a 26-percent reciprocal tariff from the US – punitive duties first levied during the Trump administration on April 2. To be sure, discussions are still underway to secure exemptions from these potential duties.

"The failure of these trade discussions would trigger the immediate reimplementation of the 26% tariff structure," warned a senior official.

The White House had earlier confirmed that the US and India are close to finalising a significant bilateral trade agreement, with both sides working against a fast-approaching July 9 deadline.

It also reaffirmed India’s importance as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific, and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, in response to a query by ANI.