India’s Trade Minister Goyal Heads to US for High-Stakes Talks Amid Looming Tariffs
Washington — India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, departed for the United States on Monday for critical trade discussions, just weeks ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs, two government officials confirmed.
Goyal’s visit came unexpectedly, as he canceled previously scheduled meetings until March 8 to make the trip, reflecting the urgency of the situation. India’s trade ministry has not yet issued an official statement regarding the visit.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. last month, both nations agreed to work on the initial phase of a trade deal by fall 2025, with a goal of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Trump’s plan to impose reciprocal tariffs starting in April on major trading partners, including India, has raised concerns among Indian exporters, particularly in sectors such as automobiles and agriculture. Analysts from Citi Research estimate that these tariffs could result in potential losses of approximately $7 billion annually for Indian businesses.
The visit underscores India’s proactive efforts to address trade uncertainties and safeguard its economic interests amid evolving global trade policies.
