India-US Trade Deal Nearing Final Approval; Trump Says Both Sides Are Very Close

India-US Trade Deal Nearing Final Approval; Trump Says Both Sides Are Very Close

A major breakthrough could soon be on the horizon for the long-pending trade deal between India and the United States. US President Donald Trump has indicated that the two nations are very close to reaching a trade agreement. This statement has bolstered expectations regarding a potential deal. Discussions on the trade agreement have gained fresh momentum, coinciding with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India and his meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. In fact, tariffs—or import duties—have remained the primary hurdle in these negotiations. In August 2025, US tariffs on Indian products had reached as high as 50 percent. Meanwhile, under a framework announced in February 2026, there was a proposal to reduce tariff rates to 18 percent. However, the final agreement has yet to be formally concluded.