India Proposes $23 Billion Tariff Cuts as US Trade Official Visits

With April 2's reciprocal tariff deadline looming, India seeks relief while negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.

US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch is in India from March 25-29 for critical trade negotiations ahead of the April 2 reciprocal tariff deadline.
India has proposed reducing tariffs on 55% of US imports, valued at $23 billion, to mitigate potential impacts of the tariffs on its $66 billion in exports to the US.
Key sticking points include India's exclusion of certain sectors, such as agriculture, from tariff cuts and its push for temporary relief from the reciprocal tariffs.
Both nations aim to finalize a framework for a bilateral trade agreement, addressing tariffs, market access, and trade imbalances, while targeting $500 billion in trade by 2030.
Negotiations must navigate WTO rules to create an exclusive trade framework and avoid extending concessions to other member nations.