Piyush Goyal Denies Report of India Rejecting Interim US Trade Deal, Says Talks Were ‘Fantastic’
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has dismissed reports claiming India rejected a quick interim trade agreement with the US, calling them 'completely false, baseless and misleading.' He said his meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were 'fantastic' and reaffirmed that both countries remain committed to negotiating a balanced and commercially meaningful trade agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, July 13, dismissed reports claiming that India had rejected a quick interim trade agreement with the United States in pursuit of a more favourable deal. Responding to the report, Goyal said he had "fantastic meetings" with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and reaffirmed that both countries remain committed to reaching a balanced and commercially meaningful agreement.
The clarification comes amid ongoing negotiations between India and the US over a bilateral trade agreement. Reports had suggested that New Delhi adopted a firmer negotiating position to secure greater benefits for its exporters while protecting key domestic sectors, despite the possibility of facing higher US tariffs and prolonged uncertainty. ‘Nothing Changes’: Donald Trump Says India-US Trade Deal to Remain Intact, Calls PM Narendra Modi a ‘Great Gentleman’.
Piyush Goyal Says India-US Trade Talks on Track
This news is completely false, baseless and misleading.
I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer, @USTradeRep, when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible… https://t.co/0JZOULEL6i
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 13, 2026
Piyush Goyal Denies Report of India Rejecting Interim US Trade Deal
"This news is completely false, baseless and misleading. I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer," said Goyal in a social media post. He said both sides are committed to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries.
As per the report, India chose to press for a more lucrative pact that delivers greater benefits for its exporters and protects key domestic sectors. New Delhi took a firmer position even as it faced the risk of higher US tariffs and prolonged uncertainty for businesses. ‘India’s Farmers Betrayed in Name of US Trade Deal’: Rahul Gandhi Targets Narendra Modi Government, Poses 5 ‘Simple’ Questions.
The report further stated that after months of negotiations, India and the US failed to finalise an interim trade agreement during US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's visit to New Delhi last month, despite expectations on both sides that a limited deal was within reach.
According to an Indian government official familiar with the talks, the discussions stalled because Washington did not provide assurances on New Delhi's two main demands: preferential tariff treatment over competitors such as China, and a commitment not to impose additional US tariffs after the agreement.
A US source familiar with the negotiations said Washington believes India must make its own concessions before receiving the preferential treatment it has sought.
Another US official said discussions remain ongoing and an agreement is still expected, but acknowledged that India has at times been slow and bureaucratic, making a quick deal unlikely.
India and the United States have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement aimed at expanding market access and strengthening economic ties. While both sides have expressed optimism over the negotiations, several issues, including tariff concessions and market access, continue to remain under discussion.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2026 05:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
