U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks during a press conference Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at the G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| Photo Credit: AP
While negotiations on an India-U.S. trade deal are nearing the end, the deal itself is not “imminent”, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated on Friday (October 2, 2026) India time. His comments followed a “constructive conversation” with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in the U.S. on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministerial conference.
“We had a very constructive conversation, Minister Goyal and myself,” Mr. Greer said at a press conference. “Our staff is meeting right now, since they’re in the country and we’re here. We are continually trying to finish the trade deal with India.”
“I would characterise it, as we say in the U.S., we’re in the short strokes,” he added. “So I think we’re toward the end of it. At the same time, I don’t think there’s something imminent.”
Modi, Trump remain engaged
Mr. Greer said that the two sides had identified the “universe of items” that are sticking points for both sides and are “working diligently” to address them.
He added that U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a “constructive call” on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) and said that there may be another call between the two leaders “very soon” to assess progress on the deal.
The India-U.S. trade deal has been heavily delayed ever since it was announced by Mr. Modi and Mr. Trump in February 2025 due to various tariff actions taken by the U.S. since then.
Deal delays
The larger Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) was supposed to have been concluded by “Fall 2025” (October-November 2025). Subsequently, talks on a “mini deal” addressing only tariffs also failed to fructify.
In February 2026, the two leaders once again issued a joint statement committing to finalising an interim agreement on trade and continuing negotiating the BTA. The interim agreement was to have been finalised by March-April 2026. Neither the interim deal nor the BTA have so far been finalised.
On India’s part, Mr. Goyal has been vocal in saying that India will not sign a deal until it is made clear that it will receive a comparative advantage over its competitors, as was agreed to in February 2026.
The U.S., on the other hand, has already levied an additional tariff of 10% on India for not doing enough to prevent the import of goods made using forced labour. It is in the process of finalising further tariffs relating to excess capacity.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has also passed into law an Act that could see tariffs of up to 100% being levied on India — over and above the other tariffs — for its import of Russian oil.
All of these issues remain substantial roadblocks to the deal.
Published – October 02, 2026 11:40 am IST
