US and India Enter Final Phase of Trade Deal
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Indian Minister Piyush Goyal are finalizing a bilateral trade agreement following a constructive call between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi.
Negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and India have entered their final phase. Speaking at the 2026 G20 Trade Ministers Meeting in Milwaukee, Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, stated that the process is in the "short strokes" and nearing its end. While Greer noted that a final announcement is not imminent, he confirmed that both nations have identified the core sticking points and are working diligently toward a resolution.
This progress follows a constructive phone call on October 1 between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the leaders reviewed trade, defense, energy, and critical technologies. Greer indicated that Trump and Modi may speak again soon to assess further progress. The effort aligns with a broader Trump administration strategy that has already secured trade deals covering over 40 percent of U.S. goods trade.
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with Greer in Milwaukee to advance a mutually beneficial interim agreement. Although Goyal had previously described the deal as "done and dusted" on September 24, final execution depends on the United States providing India with a competitive advantage over regional rivals, including China, Bangladesh, and ASEAN member states.
