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<p data-start="129" data-end="389"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">With the deadline for a US tariff pause fast approaching, Indian and American trade officials are engaged in intense discussions in Washington, D.C., in a last-minute effort to finalize a long-anticipated interim trade agreement.</span></p>
<p data-start="391" data-end="682"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As part of the negotiations, India is pushing for expanded market access for its labour-intensive sectors &mdash; including garments, footwear, and leather &mdash; which play a key role in employment generation. On the other hand, the US is seeking tariff concessions on agricultural and dairy products.</span></p>
<p data-start="684" data-end="990"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Indian negotiators, led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, have extended their stay in the US, signaling the importance of resolving remaining issues before the July 9 deadline. That date marks the end of a 90-day pause announced by President Donald Trump on reciprocal tariffs targeting Indian products.</span></p>
<p data-start="992" data-end="1202"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The focus of the interim deal is reciprocal tariff reductions or eliminations, with India seeking broader concessions that would support its goal of doubling bilateral trade with the US to $500 billion by 2030.</span></p>
<p data-start="1204" data-end="1455"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sources indicate that as part of the proposed exchange, India is also advocating for greater access to the US market for competitive sectors like shrimp, fish, spices, coffee, and rubber &mdash; areas where Indian exporters face significant tariff barriers.</span></p>
<p data-start="1457" data-end="1797"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In recent months, India has increased its energy imports from the US, including oil and gas, to help balance the trade relationship. Additionally, India has signaled willingness to reduce average tariff rates &mdash; from the current 13% to potentially around 4% &mdash; in exchange for relief from US tariff hikes imposed during Trump&rsquo;s previous term.</span></p>
<p data-start="1799" data-end="1985" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The current talks aim to finalize the interim deal in the coming days, with broader negotiations expected to continue toward a more comprehensive trade agreement by September or October.</span></p>
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<div class="flex items-center justify-center"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]</span></div>
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Indian and American trade officials are engaged in intense discussions in Washington DC

Talks intensify as both sides seek tariff cuts and better market access ahead of July 9 deadline

India, US push for trade deal before deadline

Talks intensify as both sides seek tariff cuts and better market access ahead of July 9 deadline

July 3, 2025 | 16:19 IST