India and the US have reached a plateau in their trade talks, Reuters reported, citing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She said further give and take would be “very, very difficult” for both sides and called the deal “a hard and very vigorously negotiated agreement.”
Most Indian goods have faced an additional 10% US tariff since July 24 under Section 301. An importer sourcing from India must decide whether to keep paying the tariff or hold orders while the talks continue.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said last week that he did not expect an agreement right away. Greer said the two sides have identified the remaining issues. President Trump and Prime Minister Modi spoke by phone last week and may speak again soon, he said.
India exported $42.79 billion of goods to the US from April through August, up 6% from a year earlier, according to India's Commerce Ministry. US Census data show $58.9 billion of imports from India from January through July, down 10% from the same period in 2025 but up 14% from 2024.
A new US law also gives the president authority to impose duties of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil. India is among the countries identified as a major buyer, and the law gives the president 30 days from its Sept. 18 signing to act, subject to a waiver.
