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U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the media on April 29, 2025, before departing for Michigan to commemorate his first 100 days in office. He expressed optimism regarding ongoing tariff discussions with India, stating, “I think we’ll have a deal with India.”
These remarks followed a recent visit from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met with Trump at the White House three weeks prior. Trump highlighted that Modi’s administration is eager to finalize a trade agreement.
His comments were further backed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who indicated that the administration was nearing a significant accord with India. During a White House briefing, Bessent disclosed that discussions regarding potential trade deals with Japan have also been extensive and that an agreement with South Korea might soon take shape.
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Additionally, Vice President JD Vance had a productive meeting with Modi last week, where they reportedly made notable progress. While specific timelines for announcements were not given, Bessent conveyed a positive outlook regarding the negotiations.
Bessent pointed out that negotiating with a country like India, which has pre-established tariffs, is comparatively straightforward. He emphasized the potential advantages for India in drastically reducing its tariffs, even while other nations maintain higher rates.
Raghuram Rajan, an economist and finance professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, remarked on the strategic benefits for India in lowering tariffs. He noted that such a move could attract global companies to consider India more seriously, particularly given the vast domestic market.
The White House has been actively pursuing trade agreements with several international partners following Trump’s recent tariff announcements. Bessent outlined that discussions with 17 key trading partners are currently in motion, excluding China.
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