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5h ago

U.S.–India Trade Talks Restart in New Delhi Following Lutnick’s Corn Rebuke

Washington has tied steep duties to Russian oil purchases, pressuring India to ease barriers on U.S. farm goods.

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The trade talks raise hopes for a breakthrough on a free trade agreement that was jeopardised by the punitive tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump on India for buying Russian oil.

Overview

  • Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Brendan Lynch arrives in New Delhi on Monday night for meetings Tuesday with India’s chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal to set the next steps in the talks.
  • The 50% U.S. tariff burden on Indian goods remains in place, combining a 25% reciprocal duty with an additional 25% linked to India’s discounted Russian crude purchases, which India calls unfair and unreasonable.
  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said India “won’t buy one bushel” of U.S. corn and warned of a tough time doing business with American consumers unless tariffs fall and markets open.
  • Agriculture and dairy access are central sticking points for Washington, while Indian officials cite self-sufficiency in corn, limits on GM crop imports, and protection of farm livelihoods.
  • Signaling diplomatic engagement, U.S. ambassador‑designate Sergio Gor told senators the sides are not far apart and said the President invited Indian trade ministers to meet USTR officials in Washington.