White House confirms US-India trade deal soon

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “strategic ally” in the Indo-Pacific region during a press briefing on Monday while addressing a question on the India-US trade agreement, she added that President Donald Trump shares a "very good relationship" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and noted that the trade deal is close to completion. Responding to a question regarding China’s role in the Indo-Pacific, Leavitt reiterated, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”

#WATCH | "Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear… pic.twitter.com/l9pzzjGhM5

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025

On June 26, India and the US began another round of bilateral trade talks aimed at finalising an early harvest deal before the US imposes country-specific reciprocal tariffs on imports from 57 countries, including India, starting July 9, according to people familiar with the discussions.India is pushing for the US to roll back all current and planned retaliatory tariffs, including a 26% reciprocal tariff – comprising a 10% duty that took effect on April 5 and an additional 16% set to begin from July 9.India is also urging the US to eliminate safeguard duties – currently being challenged at the World Trade Organisation – such as the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium and the 25% duties on automobiles and auto parts. In return, India expects Washington to lower its most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs proportionately.