A senior official in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has described India's latest trade proposals as the "best offer ever" received by the United States, signalling a potential breakthrough in bilateral negotiations amid efforts to expand American agricultural exports. The remarks came from Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, during discussions on the proposed first phase of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two nations. A U.S. negotiating team, led by Deputy USTR Ambassador Rick Switzer, is currently in New Delhi for face-to-face talks focusing on key issues such as market access for U.S. row crops, meats, and other products.

Greer acknowledged the challenges in dealing with India, calling it a "tough nut to crack" due to longstanding resistance to certain agricultural imports. However, he praised New Delhi's proactive stance, stating that "the type of offers they’ve been talking to us about have been the best we’ve ever received as a country." The negotiations aim to diversify U.S. export markets, particularly for soybeans and biofuels, leveraging global opportunities like reduced trade barriers in countries such as Cambodia while maintaining ties with China.

The current round of talks builds on a February 2025 vision outlined during a meeting between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising security, jobs, and competitiveness. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, on a five-day visit to India, met with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to translate these goals into actionable progress. Hooker highlighted the discussions as a chance to enhance U.S. security and economic interests while supporting India's long-term objectives in defence, technology, and trade.

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As the U.S. seeks to "touch every base in every country" to bolster its export portfolio, India's forward-leaning proposals could pave the way for a landmark deal, potentially reshaping agricultural trade dynamics and strengthening the strategic partnership between the world's largest and oldest democracies.

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