India Prepares for US Trade Talks Amid Tariff Disputes

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India convened a meeting with industry associations and export promotion councils on September 1 to address U.S. market access and tariff uncertainties. Chaired by Additional Secretary and chief negotiator Darpan Jain, the discussions focused on reduced order volumes and U.S. safeguard measures on quartz surface products. Exporters urged the government to expedite a bilateral trade agreement to stabilize the environment following a 10 percent additional tariff imposed by the U.S. on July 24.

These consultations precede a late-September visit to the United States by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Goyal is scheduled to attend the G-20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee starting September 30 and hold bilateral talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Following the ministerial, Goyal will lead a business delegation to Chicago.

Trade negotiations are complicated by a U.S. Section 301 investigation into forced labor and a U.S. Senate sanctions bill granting President Donald Trump authority to levy tariffs up to 100 percent on buyers of Russian oil, including India. Despite these tensions, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal stated that both nations remain committed to the trade framework established in February. Total trade between the two nations reached $140.76 billion in 2025-26, though India's trade surplus decreased to $33.9 billion from $40.9 billion the previous year.