The Union Commerce Minister said India and the United States remain committed to a balanced trade agreement
July 13, 2026: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday rejected reports claiming that India had refused to finalise a quick trade agreement with the United States. Responding to a Reuters report, Goyal described the claims as “false, baseless and misleading” and said he had held “fantastic meetings” with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during his visit to New Delhi in June. He added that both countries remain committed to negotiating a balanced and commercially meaningful trade pact that benefits businesses, farmers, workers and consumers on both sides.
The Reuters report had claimed India rejected an early agreement because Washington failed to meet New Delhi’s key demands. It also quoted an unnamed US official who described India’s approach to the negotiations as slow and bureaucratic. However, Goyal said trade teams from both countries remain fully engaged in discussions. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal also dismissed suggestions of any deadlock, stating that the framework for the India-US trade agreement is ready and that both sides are progressing positively towards signing it at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, the US State Department also expressed optimism about the proposed interim trade agreement. State Department spokesperson Margaret Macleod said American officials believe the deal could be concluded soon, while advising that specific details should come from the Office of the US Trade Representative. India and the US have continued multiple rounds of discussions this year, with delegations from both countries meeting regularly to advance negotiations despite ongoing global trade uncertainties.