CNN-News18 Exclusive: US cuts tariffs on India to 18%, confirms envoy Sergio Gor

India-US deal marks ‘new era of relations’, says US Ambassador Sergio Gor

US Ambassador Sergio Gor, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, described the recently announced India-US trade deal, cutting India’s tariffs from 50% to 18%, as marking a “new era of India-US relations.” He added that “both US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are great leaders.”

“All the credit goes to President Trump and PM Modi. The two leaders have a great personal relationship, which has carried the deal forward. The number that will be finalised will be 18%," Gor said.

#MegaExclusive | All the credit goes to President Trump and PM Modi. The two leaders have a great personal relationship which has carried the deal forward. The number that will finalised will be 18%: Sergio Gor, @USAmbIndia#IndiaUSTradeDeal | @Zakka_Jacobpic.twitter.com/ZVJBWuZHZb

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 2, 2026

Calling the announcement an, “incredible news", Gor said this is a “new era" and asserted that the US is open to business.

Responding to a query on the 25 percent punitive levy imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, Gor confirmed that the charge would no longer apply under the new agreement.

“That is correct! As you saw in the Truth (Social) that the President wrote, part of the agreement is that all nations around the world stop buying oil from Russia in order to bring peace to the situation, and I know the Prime Minister deeply cares about bringing peace in the conflict as does President Trump. So the number as we get finalised will be 18 per cent,” he said.

On other assurances outlined by Trump in his Truth Social post, Gor said discussions would continue at the negotiators’ level, while underlining the broader significance of the announcement.