India-US Trade Talks Advance
Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer discuss concluding an interim trade agreement.
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting and discussed efforts to conclude an interim trade agreement between India and the US at the earliest, according to the media reported.
Goyal said on X that the two sides held a productive discussion on the proposed interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
They also exchanged views on discussions taking place at the G20 meeting, which is being held under the US presidency.
Goyal also met Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between India and Mexico.
He held talks with Poland’s Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański on expanding trade and investment between the two countries.
The discussions also included opportunities linked to the proposed India-European Union free trade agreement, Goyal said.
Goyal also met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Marcio Elias Rosa during the G20 gathering.
The meetings took place as major economies discussed bilateral trade and investment issues at the Milwaukee trade ministers’ meeting.
Goyal also addressed a G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting session on the “Weaponization of Food through Coercive Trade Action”. He said food should remain a source of security, stability and cooperation.
He stressed the need to differentiate between the weaponisation of food supply chains and legitimate steps taken by countries to address domestic policy requirements and food-security needs.
Goyal’s meetings come as India and the US continue discussions on a bilateral trade agreement, including an interim deal.
The Commerce Ministry had said that Goyal’s US engagements would focus on advancing a balanced and mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement and finalizing an interim deal in line with the Joint Statement issued on February 7″
