A planned visit by U.S. trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25–29 has been canceled, delaying discussions on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, NDTV Profit reported Saturday, citing sources.
The decision pushes back the next round of negotiations, dashing hopes of progress before August 27, when fresh U.S. tariffs on Indian goods are set to take effect. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% import duty on Indian products, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
The new tariffs will raise duties on some Indian exports to as high as 50% — among the steepest applied to any U.S. trading partner. Talks between the two nations had already stalled after five rounds of negotiations over disputes concerning India’s farm and dairy sectors and its Russian oil imports.
India’s Foreign Ministry has pushed back, saying the country is being unfairly singled out for its energy purchases, while the U.S. and European Union continue to buy goods from Russia.