Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, May 1: The United States and India are edging closer to finalising a long-anticipated trade agreement, but a conclusive deal remains elusive, according to a top US trade official.
Jamieson Greer, senior US Trade Representative and a seasoned figure in Washington's trade circles, indicated during a televised interview on Fox News that while substantial progress has been made in negotiations with India, the two sides have not yet crossed the finish line.
"I wouldn't say finish line—(but) close," Greer said, when asked whether a breakthrough agreement with India was imminent. He confirmed that communication between both nations remains active, noting, "I have a standing call with India's Trade Minister. I sent my team to India for a week. They were here last week, and I met with their chief negotiator."
The statement comes amid heightened speculation in US media and policy spheres over a flurry of trade deals being rushed ahead of President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on implementing widespread tariffs on most trading partners.
Greer also alluded to the recent visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance to India, which saw both sides announcing a fresh framework for advancing trade negotiations—another indication of the diplomatic momentum behind the talks.
A veteran of the trade negotiations desk, Greer previously served as Chief of Staff to then US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during the Trump administration. Back in 2020, during President Trump's high-profile visit to India, a trade deal between the two democracies was on the verge of being signed. However, the talks collapsed at the last minute.
Indian trade officials at the time blamed shifting expectations from the American side, alleging that the US "kept changing the goalpost", despite months of rigorous back-and-forth.
While expressing cautious optimism about the India deal, Greer appeared far more confident about trade talks with South Korea, describing their approach as “very forward-leaning.” He suggested that the US is inclined to pursue the most ambitious proposals currently on the negotiating table.
As anticipation builds, experts say that a formal trade pact between the world’s two largest democracies could significantly enhance bilateral economic cooperation, especially in sectors like technology, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.