‘No deal at gunpoint’: Piyush Goyal on India-US trade talks

In a strong statement amid the global tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made it clear that India’s interests will always be prioritised and that no deal will be signed under pressure.

 

He added that no negotiation will be done in haste and that India’s talks with the US on the proposed bilateral agreement are progressing well.

"Humne pahle bhi kai baar kaha hai ki hum banduk rakhke kabhi negotiate nai karte hain (I have said it many times earlier, we do not negotiate at the gunpoint),” Goyal said.

“Sammay ki pabandiyaan acchhi rahti hain ki wo protsaahit karti hain ki baat teji se ho. Lekin jab tak desh hit aur jan hit ko hum surakshit na rakh saken, tab tak kabhi bhi jaldbazzi karna accha nai hai (Time restrictions are good as they encourage us to negotiate swiftly, but until we are able to protect the interests of the country and people, it is never good to be hasty)."

 

On April 2, US announced an additional 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the country. However, on April 9, it was suspended for 90 days – until July 9, 2025. The 10 per cent baseline tariff will continue.

 

The US was India's largest trading partner from 2021-22 to 2023-24. It accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in bilateral trade.

India