Overview

• The 13th negotiation round will be held in India from September 8 to 12 as both sides target concluding the pact by the end of 2025.
• EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is expected to visit after the round to take stock and meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
• Negotiators say many technical issues could be settled in this session, with unresolved matters flagged for political direction.
• Five of 23 chapters were closed by the 11th round, and the 12th round in Brussels saw notable narrowing of differences and exchange of market-access offers.
• Key sticking points reported by officials include EU requests for deeper tariff cuts on autos and medical devices, lower taxes on select food and beverages, and stronger intellectual property rules.