Trump Says India-US Trade Deal ‘Within Reach’ as Sergio Gor Takes Charge in New Delhi

Washington and New Delhi may be on the verge of resolving months of trade friction, as President Donald Trump announced that both nations are “pretty close” to finalising a bilateral trade agreement. The statement came during a White House ceremony on Monday where Sergio Gor officially assumed his role as the new United States Ambassador to India. The appointment, administered by Vice President JD Vance, comes amid renewed optimism in trade talks that have recently shown signs of progress following months of tariff disputes.

Speaking at the event, Trump described ongoing negotiations as “a much different deal than we had in the past,” acknowledging India’s firm negotiating stance. “They’re very good negotiators, so Sergio, you will have to take a look at that... I think we’re pretty close to doing a deal that’s good for everybody,” the president told reporters, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in attendance. The comments marked a sharp tonal shift from earlier this year when trade tensions peaked due to Washington’s steep import duties.

The United States had imposed tariffs as high as 50 percent on certain Indian imports, including a 25 percent surcharge on crude sourced from Russia. New Delhi strongly opposed the move, calling it “unjustified and unreasonable.” However, Trump signaled that the duties may soon be lowered, saying that reductions are likely now that India has “substantially reduced” its purchases of Russian oil. “At some point, we’re going to be bringing them down,” he added, indicating possible tariff relief as part of an upcoming trade arrangement.

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Both nations have completed five rounds of formal discussions on the first phase of their bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Officials from New Delhi recently stated that negotiations were “very near” completion, with language for the final document being closely reviewed. The BTA aims to double bilateral trade volumes to $500 billion by 2030 and includes provisions for market access, technology cooperation, and energy partnerships.

Sergio Gor’s appointment as ambassador underscores the administration’s intent to accelerate diplomatic and economic engagement with India. A longtime Trump ally and former director of presidential personnel, Gor is expected to serve as a key intermediary in advancing the trade agenda. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1986, Gor immigrated to the US through Malta before building a career as a conservative strategist and publisher. His relationship with Trump and experience in political communications mark him as one of the youngest and most trusted diplomats in Trump’s second-term cabinet.

As Trump highlighted India’s “ancient civilisation” and “rapidly growing middle class,” observers view Gor’s arrival as a pivotal step in redefining US-India economic relations. Analysts say the upcoming trade pact, once concluded, could become a cornerstone in strengthening strategic and commercial ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

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