Overview

• Interim India–US negotiations have stalled with just days left before a 26% tariff increase on July 9.
• Piyush Goyal emphasized that any trade agreement must guarantee reciprocal duty cuts to protect Indian manufacturers and traders.
• The government will shield sensitive industries and regional interests, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, from undue import pressure.
• India has notified the WTO of planned retaliatory duties on targeted US-origin products such as automobiles and auto parts.
• New Delhi is also advancing multiple FTAs, including a UK deal pending signature, an EFTA TEPA awaiting ratification, and preliminary talks with the EU under its Mission 500 initiative.