Politics1 min read

'Preferential access already agreed': Goyal's big update on India-US trade deal

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The bilateral trade framework was initially established in February but faced delays following structural adjustments to tariffs in the United States. Although the full scope of duty relief remains tied to final terms, Washington has officially assured New Delhi of a comparative tariff advantage. Meanwhile, American officials are exploring alternative mechanisms under the Trade Act after the Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs that initially underpinned negotiations. Both nations continue to advance discussions on the initial tranche alongside the broader comprehensive agreement.

Key points

  • Negotiators aim to complete the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement by the end o…: Negotiators aim to complete the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement by the end of the current financial year.
  • Indian goods are positioned to receive preferential market access with lower import dutie…: Indian goods are positioned to receive preferential market access with lower import duties than competitor countries.
  • The exact extent of the tariff relief granted to India will be decided in the final terms…: The exact extent of the tariff relief granted to India will be decided in the final terms of the pact.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: India has secured an agreement with the United States to receive preferential market access for its goods, with lower import duties than competing countries, commerce and industry minister

Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.

Goyal said the understanding was reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump when the two countries announced a broad framework for their bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Negotiations are currently underway to finalise the first phase of the deal.

"This was already agreed between the leaders - President (Donald) Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they announced that we have both come to a broad framework agreement a few months ago and it has been acknowledged that India will get preferential trade access in the US with lower duties than our competitor countries," Goyal told reporters in Cairo.

The minister is on a two-day visit to Egypt to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.

India and the US finalised the framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade agreement in February. The deal was…

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