Page 4 - Trade Deals

India, EU begin 13th round of trade talks, hope to fast-track deal

India and the European Union (EU) on Monday started the next round of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), an official said. After the 13th round of talks, European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic will visit India on September 12 to take stock of the progress of negotiations with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the official said. As there is a deadline to conclude the talks by the end of this year, this round of talks is important. The 12th round of talks concluded in Brussels. In June 2022, India and the 27-nation EU bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive FTA, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications after a gap of over eight years. It stalled in 2013 due to differences on the level of opening up of the markets. On February 28, PM Narendra Modi and the European Commission president agreed to seal a much-awaited free trade deal by the end of this year. Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automo

Stepping stone deal? UK pact could set template for India's future FTAs

Experts point out that the deal was possible only because both sides respected each other's sensitivities and regulatory autonomy

Latin America trade negotiations: India wary of China's growing influence

China's growing influence in the Latin American region raises concerns

Bangladesh signs US wheat-import deal in bid to curb tariff pressure

The US tariff hike has rattled Bangladesh export sector, especially the ready-made garments industry, which fears losing competitiveness in one of its largest markets

Looking to speed up talks to review Asean trade pact: Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discusses the ongoing review of the India-ASEAN trade pact with Malaysia's T Zafrul Aziz, highlighting challenges and the need for fair trade and a comprehensive deal

India seeks to avoid Trump's Brics wrath as it pursues US trade deal

With New Delhi set to assume the Brics chairmanship in 2026, India needs to differentiate itself from members like China and Russia, who are seeking to build the bloc as an opposition voice to the US

Letters and the spirit: Trump pushes global trade into uncharted territory

With the end of the 90-day pause on the imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariffs and the US sending letters, a few things are now clear

Trump's MASALA playbook: India faces tough choices in trade deals

Responding to the blowback, the White House softened its stance on April 9, imposing a 90-day pause and a uniform 10 per cent tariff on most imports, excluding China

India to seal interim trade deal with US this week as tariff deadline nears

The interim trade deal comes as the Trump tariff deadline nears. The 90-day pause, announced on April 9, followed US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on 100+ nations, including India

Govt will protect textile sector in US trade deal: Goyal tells export body

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has assured industry bodies that the government will protect the interests of the textiles and apparel sector in the proposed trade agreement with the US, AEPC said on Friday. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Sudhir Sekhri said he, along with TEXPROCIL (Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council) Chairman Vijay Agarwal, met the minister to apprise him of key concerns related to the proposed agreement. "The minister gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised and assured the delegation that the government is committed to protecting labour-intensive sectors during the ongoing negotiations under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement," the council said in a statement. The minister also reiterated that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure that India's interests, especially those of vulnerable sectors like textiles and apparel, are safeguarded. It further said that if the US will go ahead with the additional 26 per cent

US court terms Trump tariffs illegal; India says trade deal on track

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit here on Thursday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stressed that the deal with Washington remains "well on track"

Trump tariffs a call for nations to consider trade governance reforms

It is time for collective action among like-minded economies rather than be caught in the US tariff turmoil

India to restore tax refund benefits for exporters from June to boost trade

The benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products were introduced on January 1, 2021, but ended on February 5 this year

Pursue trade deals, but focus equally on enhancing industry competitiveness

India retaliated against some ill-considered statements and actions by the Bangladesh government by closing its land borders for import of some goods from that country

US could be on losing side in the test of wills with China: Claude Smadja

There are limits to India-EU FTA, EU lobbies want protection, don't think will meet the timeline

India-US bilateral trade deal: In-person talks may begin by May-end

India is also looking at non-tariff barriers as well as tariff barriers in the agreement

India in talks with EU to resolve new trade regulations: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India is in talks with the European Union to resolve issues related to the new EU trade regulations. Responding to queries on EU trade barriers in the Rajya Sabha, Goyal said the EU has introduced new regulations for their own industries. "There is certainly an issue where the EU has come up with new regulations which we are actively discussing with them to resolve," he said. The government is having discussions on issues like the deforestation Act, he said, adding, "we will have to engage with them and find mutual resolution to make the process simple and ensure it does not hurt our industry." Goyal said if unfair trade barriers are imposed, the government will take up the matter strongly with India's counterparts through bilateral discussions and multilateral trade organisations. Asked if India has initiated any discussion with the EU regarding mutually agreed pacts in view of stringent regulations, the minister said thi

Rajasthan trade body seeks Budget concessions to support commodity markets

Despite water scarcity, Rajasthan remains a significant contributor to the country's Rabi and Kharif crop production

India should join China-backed Asian trade bloc, says NITI Aayog CEO

In 2019, India decided to not join the bloc, on the grounds that the deal would hurt its farmers, businesses, workers and consumers

Japan imposes trade curbs on Chinese firms for backing Ukraine war

The new sanctions also target firms in India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan