Goyal Holds Key Trade Talks with US Ambassador and Senator Amid 50% Tariff Row
Goyal discusses trade with US envoy & senator amid 50% tariffs.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday held crucial talks with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and American Senator Steve Daines, focusing on strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties. The meeting comes at a sensitive time, as India and the United States are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement against the backdrop of elevated import duties imposed by Washington.
The discussions assume significance due to the 50 per cent import tariff levied by the Donald Trump administration on Indian goods since August. This includes an additional 25 per cent duty linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, a move that has strained trade relations between the two countries.
Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Goyal described the interaction as productive and forward-looking. He emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue to deepen cooperation, especially in trade and investment. Ambassador Sergio Gor, who recently assumed office, is considered a close confidant of President Trump and a key figure in shaping US foreign policy.
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In his arrival address on January 12, Ambassador Gor indicated that both nations are actively working to finalize a trade deal. However, trade tensions remain high, with American lawmakers raising concerns over market access and tariff barriers faced by US agricultural exporters in India.
Republican Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota have urged President Trump to secure favorable terms for pulse crops in any future agreement. In a letter dated January 16, they highlighted that their states are leading producers of pulses, while India accounts for nearly 27 per cent of global consumption, arguing that Indian tariffs place US farmers at a competitive disadvantage.
As negotiations continue, the outcome of these high-level engagements could play a decisive role in shaping the future of India–US trade relations, balancing geopolitical interests with economic priorities on both sides.
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