The US White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has said the United States and India are close to finalising a trade agreement. Her comments came shortly after Trump voiced optimism about finalising the trade pact with India.
"The President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our secretary of commerce about it. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India," Leavitt said at a press briefing.
Earlier, while speaking about reciprocal tariffs, Trump stated that the US is pushing for a "full trade barrier dropping" and greater access to the Indian market, though he admitted uncertainty about achieving that goal. "India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it's restricted. You can't walk in there, you can't even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade..." Trump said.
During the briefing, Leavitt also praised India's role as a strategic ally to the US in the Indo-Pacific region. She also highlighted the strong personal relationship between Trump and Narendra Modi.
Leavitt said, as reported by ANI, "India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that."
The comments come as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is currently in the United States to attend the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
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