- May 09, 2026
India does not see any obligation to reach a trade deal by the July 9 deadline set by the United States for international trade. According to a report published on Friday (July 4) citing Reuters, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has clearly stated that India is ready to conclude a trade agreement by prioritizing its national interests, not merely to meet a deadline.
US President Donald Trump has already threatened that countries failing to reach a deal by the stipulated deadline will face a 26% tariff on their imported goods. He also indicated that these tariffs would be implemented swiftly. However, India's position remains firm despite this threat.
Goyal emphasized to reporters that a free trade agreement is only possible when it is bilaterally beneficial. This means the agreement should be equally advantageous for both countries. He further confirmed that discussions with the Trump administration would continue. India's resolute stance indicates that it will not rush into any agreement that goes against its national interests.