Archive · 2 Oct 2026
India and US Push Interim Trade Deal Talks Forward
India and the United States are trying to make a trade agreement.
Piyush Goyal of India met Jamieson Greer, a senior US trade official, in Milwaukee.
They discussed making a smaller interim agreement soon.
This agreement would be an early part of a larger trade deal between the two countries.
India wants better access for its exporters and fair competition in the US market.
The negotiations include tariffs, market access and other trade rules.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump also spoke about trade and other areas of cooperation.
Possible US penalties related to India buying Russian energy have made the talks more uncertain.
Piyush Goyal and Jamieson Greer discussed concluding a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement in Milwaukee.
The talks were held under negotiations for the broader India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Narendra Modi and Donald Trump spoke by phone about trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.
Tariffs, market access and other trade barriers remain central issues in the negotiations.
Possible US tariffs linked to purchases of Russian energy have added uncertainty to the discussions.
- Who
- Piyush Goyal, Jamieson Greer, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump were involved in the latest discussions.
- What
- India and the United States discussed concluding an interim agreement within their broader Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations.
- When
- Goyal and Greer met on Wednesday during Goyal's September 29–October 5 US visit.
- Where
- The meeting took place in Milwaukee on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting.
- Why
- Both countries want to maintain momentum and address tariffs, market access and other trade barriers.
India's negotiating priorities
US trade-policy uncertainty
Conditions for an interim deal
India's negotiating priorities
India is seeking greater market access and a competitive advantage for its exporters compared with rival exporters from ASEAN countries, China and Bangladesh.
US trade-policy uncertainty
Changes in the US tariff landscape and additional tariff measures affecting India have complicated the negotiations.
Russian energy purchases
India's negotiating priorities
India is closely watching how possible US measures could affect its trade relationship with Washington because it buys Russian crude.
US trade-policy uncertainty
US legislation allows possible tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries meeting specified criteria related to purchases of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
- Main negotiators
- India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
- Agreement under discussion
- An interim agreement under the broader India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement
- Leaders' discussion
- Narendra Modi and Donald Trump reviewed cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technologies
- Key negotiation issues
- Tariffs, market access and other trade barriers
- India's stated priority
- Greater market access and competitive conditions for Indian products in the United States
- Additional uncertainty
- US legislation provides for possible tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries meeting specified criteria involving Russian crude oil or natural gas purchases
- Meeting setting
- The G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting under the US chairship
