Overview
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said closure on the component covering reciprocal and oil duties should come sooner rather than later.
- Negotiators described the first tranche as highly detailed and indicated another round of talks may not be needed.
- A second, broader package will take longer to conclude, and no formal deadline has been set for the overall agreement.
- Two U.S. tariff hikes of 25% each remain in force, taking reciprocal duties to 50% even as discussions continue.
- India continues to shield its agricultural and dairy sectors from expanded access requests, while separate LPG supply talks are progressing outside the trade pact.