Overview
- An Indian team led by Darpan Jain finished three days of talks in Washington on Wednesday, with both sides calling the discussions constructive.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India is holding firm on farm protections, with negotiators focused on DDGs animal feed, soybean meal and ethanol.
- The February 20 Supreme Court ruling voided Trump’s reciprocal tariff tool, and a temporary 10% U.S. import duty now complicates the pact’s tariff design.
- The earlier framework that targeted an 18% U.S. tariff on Indian goods and scrapped a 25% Russia‑oil penalty now needs recalibration to stay legally sound.
- Analysts warn Section 301 investigations due in June could shift bargaining power, while talks also cover digital trade, customs and economic security on the path to a $500 billion trade goal by 2030.