US-India interim trade deal talks continue as Jamieson Greer meets Piyush Goyal in New Delhi

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is visiting India to move ahead with talks. The talks focus on an interim trade deal agreed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump in February. Greer’s meetings in New Delhi are set to review the joint statement. The visit also supports wider US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA negotiations.

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The US Trade Representative’s office said the trip is scheduled for this week. "This week, Ambassador Jamieson Greer will travel to New Delhi, India, to meet with the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, Piyush Goyal, and other senior Indian officials to discuss the historic US-India joint statement and the interim agreement as part of the broader US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA negotiations,\" the statement said.

US-India trade deal talks and minister-level meetings

Greer is due to meet Piyush Goyal and other senior Indian officials in New Delhi. The meeting follows negotiator-level discussions held in the capital from June 2-4. Those talks were part of ongoing work on the interim pact. Officials are now moving the process to a higher level for decisions.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had earlier indicated what the minister discussions may cover. Rajesh Agrawal said the two ministers are expected to focus on giving final touches to the framework deal. This work links the interim arrangement with the broader BTA process. The aim is to settle key elements before the next steps.

US-India trade deal timeline and latest statements

On June 5, Goyal said both sides were trying to settle remaining issues. Goyal said India and the US are moving towards closing all the open ends of the interim trade agreement. Goyal also said both sides are likely to execute the very, very vibrant first phase of the BTA by the middle of next month. The remarks set an expected timeline.

Trump and Modi met on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in France last week. Trump said India and the US were very close to finalising the trade agreement. Trump also described Modi as a tough negotiator. Trump also spoke about the personal rapport Trump enjoyed with the Indian prime minister.

US-India trade deal visit linked to wider US trade engagements

After the India visit, Greer is scheduled to travel to Uzbekistan. Greer will meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the trip. Greer will also meet the Head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva. Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev is also expected to be part of the meetings.

Greer’s agenda in Uzbekistan is expected to focus on trade terms with the US. The discussions are set to cover goals of fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade. In India, Greer’s meetings are aimed at carrying forward the interim trade agreement work. The talks are also linked to the wider BTA negotiations.

With inputs from PTI