India ‘far ahead’ in talks with US, terms of reference for trade deal finalised: Report

3 comments

1. SS: India and the United States have purportedly finalised the terms of reference for talks on the first segment of a bilateral trade agreement and were ahead of other countries in negotiating with America, reported Reuters, citing an anonymous official.

   The deal between the two countries, which could be finalised in the next 90 days, was described as potentially having a “win-win shape and form,” by a trade official cited by Reuters.

   Donald Trump’s administration had announced a 26 per cent tariff on Indian products last week, and India had not imposed any retaliatory tariffs on the country. The US President has issued a pause in the tariffs for certain countries, including India, to negotiate favourable deals that could lead to lowering of tariffs.

2. I wish the Indian officials just finished things and then leak things. I am always wary of our officials using backchannels for signalling instead of just putting out a statement when they are done.

   That being said.

   Indians will want to take advantage of an opportunity to break through some of its own historical baggage wrt trade barriers and defence imports.

   Hopefully, we also ease up on the GMO issue. For f sake, the increased productivity in the agriculture sector alone will shake most of those markets where India plays today.

   Play to Trump’s ego, play to Trump’s minions need for market access, play to America hawks looking at Indo-Pacific primacy. All of this India can do better than playing to Biden’s holier than thou attitude that always ended in an impasse on human rights issues.

3. These bureaucrats talk a lot and do little. There is no need to announce anything until its finalised considering how fast the Trump admin changes its mind.

Comments are closed.