NEW DELHI: A planned round of U.S.-India trade talks, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from August 25–29, has been called off, delaying progress on a proposed bilateral trade agreement and dashing hopes of relief from additional U.S. tariffs set to take effect on August 27.
A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the current round of negotiations is now likely to be deferred to an undecided date.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said it has no additional information regarding the talks, which are being handled by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). India’s trade ministry did not immediately respond to a WNN email seeking comments.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil — a move that has sharply escalated tensions between the two nations.
The new import tax, coming into force on August 27, will raise duties on certain Indian exports to as high as 50% — among the steepest imposed on any U.S. trading partner.
Trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi had already collapsed after five rounds, largely due to disagreements over opening India’s vast farm and dairy sectors and curbing Russian oil purchases.
India’s foreign ministry has said the country is being unfairly singled out for buying Russian oil while the United States and the European Union continue to purchase other goods from Moscow.
—WNN Desk
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