India Eyes July 8 Deadline for U.S. Trade Deal, May Push to August if Terms Fall Short

Quick Summary

• U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs targeting 14 countries to address the U.S.trade deficit; India has not received a tariff letter yet.
• India is operating under a July 8 deadline for trade negotiations, while other countries face an August 1 deadline.
• A mini trade deal between the U.S. and India could be announced soon, though Indian government officials stressed that it will only proceed if the deal aligns with India’s interests.
• the end of the tariff pause (April 2 system) would see Indian imports face a potential duty hike from zero to 26%.
• Negotiations involve contentious issues like U.S.-requested access for genetically-modified (GM) crops and dairy products in India, both of which have faced strong resistance.
• Special secretary rajesh Agrawal led Indian negotiators to two rounds of talks in Washington; progress remains uncertain as proposals await final approval.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US reveal critical divergences regarding agriculture sector policies-notably India’s firm stance against importing GM crops and US dairy products. From india’s viewpoint, safeguarding existing food safety standards aligns with broader public health concerns and domestic market competition protections. However, failing to finalize an agreement may expose indian exports to heightened tariffs under Donald Trump’s April system.

While collaboration could open bilateral economic opportunities beyond agriculture-including technology or manufacturing sectors-the flawed alignment on policy priorities calls into question whether such compromises serve long-term national interests. The timing purported deadlines further underscore pressure amid evolving geopolitical uncertainties.

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