President Trump said he expects the US and India to reach a long-awaited trade
deal after negotiators wrapped a new round of talks this week, telling reporters
in the Oval Office he has a close relationship with Prime Minister Modi. India’s
commerce ministry said both sides remain committed to a bilateral pact. In
February the two sides agreed a first-phase framework, originally expected to be
finalized in March; the proposed arrangement would subject Indian exports to an
18% tariff versus the 50% rate announced last year. The process stalled after
the US Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs, and New Delhi has urged
Washington to drop its Section 301 probe and resolve the matter bilaterally.
