Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with newly-appointed United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer in Washington last week to discuss reciprocal tariffs and the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two countries.
The USTR confirmed the meeting on platform X, stating that Greer had a productive discussion with Goyal on reciprocal trade, expanding market access, and President Donald Trump’s America First Trade Policy.
The discussions are ongoing as both sides work towards finalising trade agreements.
Goyal also met US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and other key officials of the Trump administration to address pressing trade issues. The meeting took place ahead of the US implementing reciprocal tariffs from April 2.
Following the USTR’s announcement, Goyal said on X that he had a forward-looking discussion with Greer on a mutually beneficial BTA.
He stated that “India’s approach would be guided by the principles of India First, Viksit Bharat, and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.”
This marks the first official confirmation of the meeting, which had taken place last week. The two sides had previously signalled their intent to finalise the first phase of the BTA within seven to eight months, as announced jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump last month.
The proposed deal aims to increase market access, lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, and enhance supply chain integration. India is working to finalise its offer while addressing Washington’s demands and protecting its economic interests.
The government is preparing a list of items on which it is willing to reduce tariffs to mitigate the impact of US reciprocal tariffs.
Trump recently stated that India had agreed to lower tariffs, while Lutnick noted that the US is seeking a broad-based trade deal with product-by-product negotiations, as a comprehensive agreement may take years to conclude.
India had sought an exemption from the US tariffs, but Trump has reiterated that India’s high tariff structure precludes special treatment.
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