‘If US happy with India's offer…’: Goyal reacts to Trump admin’s ‘best ever’ offers view; says America should sign agreement

India-US trade deal news: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reacted to a Donald Trump administration official’s statement that India has made the ‘best ever’ offers with regards to the trade deal talks. While not providing any timeline to when the India-US trade deal will be finalised, Goyal indicated that if the US is happy with India’s offer it should sign the bilateral trade agreement.

Responding to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's statement in Washington that characterised India's proposal as the "best ever", the minister expressed his views. "His happiness is very much welcome. And, I do believe that if they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines," Goyal said according to a PTI report.


Goyal’s comments come at a time when the US delegation is in India for another round of talks on the bilateral trade agreement.

This evening, PM Narendra Modi spoke to US President Donald Trump on a host of issues including trade and defence.

India-US trade deal: What’s the latest?

Piyush Goyal confirmed that five rounds of trade negotiations have taken place with the US, whilst clarifying that US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer's current India visit was not focused on negotiations.

The Commerce Minister noted that Switzer's first visit to India since assuming office three months ago serves as an opportunity for mutual understanding, confirming he had "substantial discussions" with the visiting official.

Goyal has been busy in securing Free Trade Agreements with several nations globally, including partnerships with Chile, Israel and New Zealand.

"A deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. And I don't think we should ever negotiate with deadlines or hard stops because you tend to make mistakes then," Goyal said simply noting that US negotiations are advancing positively.

India a ‘difficult nut’ to crack

During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee session in Washington on Tuesday, Greer highlighted India's resistance towards certain row crops and various meat products. American row crops encompass corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton.

"They have been very difficult nuts to crack...but they have been quite forward leaning....the type of offers that they have been talking to us about ...have been the best, we have ever received as a country, so I think that is a viable alternative market," he said.

The discussions hold significance as the Trump administration has implemented substantial 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports into US markets. The results will positively affect the rupee's value, which has recently fallen to record lows and surpassed the critical 90-to-a-dollar threshold.

Indian businesses and exporters anticipate the negotiations' completion and deal announcement eagerly, as the elevated import duties are negatively impacting their US shipments.

Whilst they seek alternative markets to sustain export earnings, the US remains crucial, representing approximately 18 per cent of the nation's exports.

Initially, the US levied a 25 per cent duty on Indian goods, citing trade deficit concerns with India, which reached $46 billion in 2024-25. Subsequently, an additional 25 per cent penalty was applied following India's Russian crude purchases.

India maintains that addressing these tariffs is essential for securing the trade deal's first phase.

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