Brendan Lynch, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, will lead the American delegation in trade talks with India on Tuesday, marking a fresh attempt by India and US to fast-track negotiations on a trade deal between the two countries.
India and the United States will "fast-track" trade talks, Rajesh Agarwal, India's chief negotiator and a special secretary in commerce ministry, told reporters at an event for the release of trade data, but gave no details.
Brendan Lynch is responsible for shaping and implementing US trade policy across 15 countries in South and Central Asia, Lynch also manages the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and coordinates activity under Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) with regional partners.
Lynch previously served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, handling sectoral talks across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and intellectual property rights. Before that, as Director for India at USTR, he managed the bilateral trade relationship between Washington and New Delhi.
Lynch joined the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in 2013 in its Agricultural Affairs division, where he promoted U.S. agricultural trade interests and negotiated with partners across South and Central Asia as well as Taiwan, Israel, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Russia. Earlier, he worked as an International Trade Analyst at the U.S. International Trade Commission, advising Congressional committees and USTR on trade barriers impacting U.S. exports.
With a B.S. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from George Washington University, Lynch brings a mix of economic expertise and on-the-ground negotiating experience to the table. His New Delhi visit comes at a time when India’s exports have slowed and bilateral trade tensions have escalated following Washington’s decision to impose a 25% additional tariff on Indian goods, raising the total duty to 50%.
The one-day talks in New Delhi will be closely watched as both sides look for ways to balance differences and sustain one of the world’s most important trade relationships.
US imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil starting August 27, taking the total on Indian exports to 50%, among the highest for any U.S. trading partner.
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