Is the US-India Trade Deal Almost Done? Trump-Modi Share Very Good Relation: White House

White House confirms that President Trump shares a “very good relationship” with PM Modi, and a breakthrough trade agreement is nearing finalisation.

Washington DC / New Delhi | July 1, 2025 —
Amid renewed strategic engagement between the United States and India, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that a major bilateral trade deal is close to completion, calling India a “strategic ally” in the Indo-Pacific and emphasizing the strong personal rapport between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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“They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India,” Leavitt said, adding that the President and Secretary of Commerce had recently discussed the deal in the Oval Office.

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🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 Strategic Ally in Focus

The remarks came during a Monday briefing where Leavitt reiterated the critical role of India in the Indo-Pacific, particularly as tensions with China continue to shape regional dynamics. “The President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that,” she said.

Also Read: India, US Enter Final Phase of Trade Talks Ahead of Tariff Deadline

The development comes as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits the US for the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and as President Trump prepares to attend the next QUAD Summit in New Delhi, having accepted PM Modi’s invitation.

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📈 Trade Deal Details:

• The ongoing talks aim to finalise an early harvest deal before the US imposes retaliatory tariffs on imports from 57 countries, including India, from July 9.
• Negotiators have reportedly resolved most issues, but a political-level push is now needed to overcome two major sticking points.
• India seeks rollback of current and upcoming retaliatory tariffs, including a 26% duty on select imports.
• India is also pressing the US to eliminate safeguard duties such as:
  • 50% on steel and aluminium
  • 25% on autos and parts
• In return, India is willing to lower MFN tariffs on American goods.

Officials are targeting a September or October 2025 deadline for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which would lay the groundwork for a full-fledged Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

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🏷️ Tags:

India US trade deal, Trump Modi relations, US India FTA, bilateral trade agreement, Indo-Pacific strategy, Karoline Leavitt, QUAD Summit 2025, US tariffs on India, Indo-US economic ties, S Jaishankar US visit