US President Donald Trump says a trade deal with India is “pretty close.” He spoke to reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “They want to make a deal. We’re going to make a deal,” he said.
Then he added a twist. The deal “could be a much different kind of deal.” He did not say what he meant.
The comments came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits India. This is his second official trip. He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday. He asked India to buy more American energy and technology.
Rubio was just as upbeat. He said the two sides are “very, very close.” In his words, they are about as close as you can get without signing. A small number of items are left, and he said they will be settled shortly.
The deal also ties into sanctions. Days ago, Trump waived some Russia-related sanctions under the Graham sanctions law. The law could have put tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top buyers of Russian oil and gas. India is one of them. But the sanctions are only on hold. Trump can bring them back at any time. Rubio said the trade deal is one factor in such decisions.
India’s side sounds positive too. Union minister Piyush Goyal said last week that the first part of the deal is done. Lawyers are now drafting the text. US Ambassador Sergio Gor said “the big items are done.”
The two countries announced a framework for an interim deal in February. Eight months later, both sides say the end is near.
The open question is simple. What does Trump mean by a “different kind of deal”? Until he explains, the final terms remain unclear.
Source: Hindustan Times
