Archive · 2 Oct 2026
India-US Trade Talks Near End, But Deal Still Not Imminent
India and the United States are trying to finish a trade deal.
A trade deal sets rules for how countries buy and sell goods.
Jamieson Greer said the talks are in the “short strokes,” meaning they may be near the end.
However, he said the deal is not ready to announce yet.
The countries still have important disagreements to solve.
These include tariffs and access to each other’s markets.
The talks have also been affected by US measures connected to India buying Russian oil.
Donald Trump and Narendra Modi may speak again soon to check the negotiations’ progress.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India-US negotiations were in the “short strokes” and nearing completion.
Greer cautioned that no immediate agreement or announcement was expected because unresolved sticking points remained.
Greer described his meeting with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as constructive, with officials continuing negotiations.
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may hold another call soon to assess progress.
The talks involve tariffs, market access and US measures linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil.
- Who
- US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- India and the United States are negotiating an interim trade agreement within broader bilateral trade talks.
- When
- Greer made the comments on October 2, 2026, after the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
- Where
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.
- Why
- The negotiations seek to address tariffs, market access and other unresolved trade issues.
India’s Economic Priorities
United States’ Trade Position
Timing and conditions
India’s Economic Priorities
Piyush Goyal described the proposed pact as “done and dusted” or “almost done and dusted,” while saying India wanted a competitive tariff advantage over rival exporters in the US market.
United States’ Trade Position
Greer said negotiations were nearing the end but emphasized that no agreement was imminent because important sticking points remained.
Tariffs and market access
India’s Economic Priorities
India is seeking terms that protect its economic interests, improve access to the US market and address concerns about US tariff measures.
United States’ Trade Position
Greer said US tariffs and trade measures are intended to support American production and supply chains rather than target individual countries.
- Negotiation status
- Greer said the talks were in the “short strokes” and nearing the end.
- Immediate agreement
- Greer said an agreement or announcement was not imminent.
- Remaining issues
- The two sides have identified the unresolved sticking points, but Greer did not specify all of them.
- Main discussion areas
- The talks include tariffs, market access and the broader terms of an interim agreement.
- Additional complication
- The negotiations have been affected by US tariff measures linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil.
- Leaders’ discussions
- Trump and Modi reviewed trade, defence, energy and critical technologies and may speak again soon.
- Interim framework
- One reported framework proposed an 18% reciprocal tariff on originating Indian goods, while India agreed to reduce or eliminate tariffs on some US goods.
Sources
India-US Trade Deal Enters "Short Strokes", PM Modi And Donald Trump To Speak Again Soon
India-US trade deal in 'short strokes': Greer
India-US trade deal talks inching ‘towards the end’: Greer after ‘constructive’ meeting with Goyal
India-US Trade Deal Nears Final Stage: USTR Jamieson Greer
‘Short Strokes’: US-India Trade Deal Nearing Final Stage; Trump-PM Modi May Speak Again Soon
Nothing imminent: US Trade Representative Greer on India trade deal; Modi, Trump to talk soon
