Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: After a gap of nearly two months, India and the US will hold talks on trade issues, with a team led by chief negotiator due to visit Washington soon. While dates are being finalised, US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said: “The US and India have previously agreed to a trade deal, and we look forward to welcoming an Indian delegation to Washington later this month.” Gor’s social media post came after a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday. On Feb 2, India and the US had announced a bilateral trade deal, with Washington imposing 18% reciprocal tariffs, but the pact was put on hold after the US Supreme Court termed the tariffs illegal. Since then, all US imports have been attracting 10% additional duty for 150 days. The meeting is likely to take stock of the situation, given that the Trump administration is yet to unveil its future strategy. It has ordered a section 301 probe on several countries, including India as it works out the plan. India has maintained that it will seek a deal that ensures comparative advantage compared to others in the region, including China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, among others.
