Trump: India has offered US a trade deal with no tariffs

President Donald Trump has on Thursday, May 15, 2025, announced that India has proposed a trade agreement offering zero tariffs on American goods.

The proposal aims to enhance bilateral trade relations between the two nations.

During a meeting with executives in Doha, President Trump stated,

“It is very hard to sell in India, and they are offering us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariffs.”

This statement highlights India’s commitment to reducing trade barriers for U.S. products.

India’s offer includes eliminating tariffs on 60% of tariff lines in the initial phase of the deal.

Additionally, India seeks preferential access to nearly 90% of the merchandise it imports from the U.S.

These measures are part of India’s strategy to strengthen economic ties with the United States.

The Indian government is actively working to finalize this agreement within the 90-day pause on tariff hikes announced by President Trump on April 9.

India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to lead a delegation to the United States starting May 16 to advance negotiations.

The goal is to secure a deal before the pause expires on July 8.

This proposed trade deal comes amid ongoing discussions between the U.S. and India to address trade imbalances and reduce tariffs.

In a recent parliamentary briefing, Indian officials emphasized that any tariff reductions would be part of bilateral agreements and not automatically extended to multilateral arrangements.

The government has not committed to specific tariff cuts but is exploring options to enhance trade relations with the U.S.

The potential agreement has garnered attention in both countries.

In India, equity markets surged to a seven-month high following President Trump’s comments on the trade deal.

Investors view the proposed deal as a positive development for the Indian economy.

As negotiations continue, both nations are focused on finalizing terms that will benefit their economies and strengthen bilateral ties.

The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for global trade dynamics.

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