A planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi scheduled for August 25-29 has been canceled, according to a source. This postpones discussions on a proposed trade deal and dampens hopes for relief from additional US tariffs set to impact Indian goods on August 27.
The current negotiation round for the bilateral trade agreement is likely to be postponed to an undecided date, the informed source reported.
The US embassy in New Delhi stated it has no further details regarding the trade and tariff negotiations, which are under the jurisdiction of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
India’s trade ministry has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comments via email.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s ongoing imports of Russian oil, significantly raising tensions between the countries.
The new import tax, effective from August 27, will increase duties on certain Indian exports to as much as 50%—one of the highest among US trading partners.
Trade discussions between New Delhi and Washington broke down after five negotiation rounds due to disagreements over opening India’s extensive farm and dairy markets and halting Russian oil imports.
India’s Foreign Ministry claims the nation is unfairly targeted for purchasing Russian oil, while the US and EU continue to buy Russian products.
