'Indian government denies claims of reassessing US goods exempt from tariff obligations': MEA dismisses false news reports
India and the United States are set to engage in the sixth physical round of trade talks on August 24, despite the ongoing tariff row between the two nations. Both countries are intensely engaged in efforts to establish a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
The trade negotiations have been taking place through virtual mode as of late. India has held five rounds of trade negotiations with the US since March 2025, with the latest in July 2025 and another scheduled for late August 2025.
President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on India, effective August 1. This tariff, according to Trump, is in response to India's high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers, which he deemed the most strenuous and obnoxious of any country.
India, however, is not currently reviewing or considering suspending its bilateral agreements with the United States amid the tariff row. Instead, it is actively engaged in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US. The Indian government is including sensitive product lists to protect farmers and domestic industries while seeking a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The tariff row between the US and India may impact the ongoing efforts to establish a mutually beneficial trade agreement. India has strongly condemned the additional tariffs as unfair and unjustified but remains firm on protecting its national interests without threatening the continuation of trade talks.
The US tariff on India also includes an additional penalty due to India's oil and military purchases from Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet commented on the latest tariff imposed by Trump on India.
Meanwhile, the MEA has dismissed reports that India is reviewing US goods exempted from tariffs or considering suspending its bilateral agreements with the United States due to hostile economic policies.
In a separate development, former President Trump called on India and Russia to "take their dead economies and go down together" in a post on Truth Social.
Despite the recent escalation of tariffs, India continues to pursue talks to expand trade and safeguard its domestic interests. The US delegation is expected to participate in the sixth round of trade talks in New Delhi.
- Amid the escalating tariff row with the United States, India is actively engaged in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, with a focus on protecting farmers and domestic industries while seeking a mutually beneficial arrangement.
- Despite the trade negotiations having taken place virtually as of late, the upcoming sixth round of talks between India and the US, scheduled for late August, may be impacted by the ongoing tariff row.
- In a surprising turn of events, former President Trump criticized India and Russia in a post on Truth Social, calling on them to "take their dead economies and go down together," indicating a potential strain in US-India relations beyond the current trade and tariff issues.
