US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed confidence on Monday that the United States and India are close to finalizing a trade deal that would prevent the imposition of tariffs, which President Donald Trump has threatened. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, Lutnick conveyed his optimism, stating, “You should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future.”
The US Secretary’s remarks come ahead of the looming deadline set by President Trump, who has given countries until July 9 to reach agreements in a bid to avoid extensive tariffs. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that these measures are necessary to correct perceived trade imbalances and what he describes as unfair trade practices directed at the United States.
Lutnick, known for his strong stance on tariffs, also highlighted the importance of bringing down tariff levels to more “reasonable” figures to ensure healthy trade relations between the US and India. Despite his support for tariffs, Lutnick remarked that he holds India in high regard, acknowledging the challenges posed by the country’s ongoing use of tariffs.
“The Indian government has made certain decisions that generally did not align with the United States’ expectations,” Lutnick pointed out, referencing India’s military procurements from Russia. However, he noted that President Trump has raised these concerns directly, and the Indian government is addressing them in a focused manner.
“Bringing them down to a level that is reasonable and appropriate so we can be great trading partners with each other, I think is absolutely on the table,” Lutnick said.
The ongoing tariff dispute is part of Trump’s broader strategy to reshape global trade practices in favor of American interests, though it has led to tensions with key economic partners, including India.
As negotiations continue, the international business community is watching closely to see if the two countries can resolve their trade differences before the July deadline, avoiding the imposition of wide-ranging tariffs that could disrupt global markets.