Overview

• A US trade team delayed its planned June 5–6 departure, remaining in New Delhi through June 10 to advance negotiations.
• Negotiators are focusing on tariff cuts and non-tariff barrier reductions in key sectors including steel, aluminum, agriculture and automobiles.
• The US doubled its steel and aluminum duties to 50% on June 9, prompting India to lodge a challenge at the WTO and complicating deal talks.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Howard Lutnick have called recent meetings constructive and voiced confidence about reaching terms.
• Both governments aim to clinch an interim deal by July 9 to avert 26% reciprocal tariffs and set the stage for a broader phased trade pact.