US-India Trade Talks Heat Up: White House Advisor Says India Is Ready to Negotiate
In a recent CNBC interview, US White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro shared some positive updates on US-India trade relations. He revealed that India is finally coming to the negotiating table, sparking hope for better trade ties between the two nations.
Navarro pointed to a friendly tweet from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a key sign of progress. "India is coming to the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, nice, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that. We’ll see how this works," he said. The two countries are actively discussing trade barriers, with Navarro emphasizing that India has some of the highest tariffs among major economies, along with tough non-tariff hurdles. "As a practical matter, we know that on the trade side, they have the highest tariffs of any major country. We had to deal with that, like we’re dealing with every other country that does that," Navarro explained.
The conversation also touched on India’s growing oil imports from Russia, a shift that started after the Russia-Ukraine war began on February 24, 2022. Navarro expressed frustration, noting that Indian refiners quickly partnered with Russian ones post-invasion, profiting big time. "India never bought Russian oil before 2022. Now, they’re making out like bandits while American workers get screwed from unfair trade," he said. He worried that the money from these deals funds Russian weapons, which in turn burdens US taxpayers with higher defense costs for Ukraine.
Navarro didn’t hold back on India’s international alliances either. He criticized Prime Minister Modi’s appearances alongside leaders from Russia and China—nations he sees as threats. "Watching Modi on stage with China, its long-term existential threat, and Putin—that was an interesting stretch. I don’t think he felt comfortable doing it," Navarro added.
On a brighter note, trade talks are moving forward fast. US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, is heading to India tonight to push for a Bilateral Trade Agreement. Meetings with Indian officials are set for Tuesday. India’s lead negotiator is Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
For months, the US and India have been working toward an interim trade deal. However, India has been cautious about US demands to open up its agriculture and dairy sectors. These areas are vital for millions of Indians, providing essential livelihoods and supporting the rural economy. As negotiations continue, all eyes are on whether both sides can strike a balanced US-India trade agreement that benefits everyone.
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