Tariff turbulence: Govt puts trade team's US visit on hold; SCOTUS ruling an opening to seek better deal?
Times of India
by TNNFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
NEW DELHI: The Indian government has decided to reschedule the visit of its trade delegation to Washington DC, originally planned for this week, following the US Supreme Court’s ruling invalidating President Trump’s tariffs. Commerce department officials stated that the decision was made to evaluate the implications of the recent legal developments before finalizing the interim framework of the trade deal with the United States. The delay comes as both sides seek a clearer understanding of how the SCOTUS ruling impacts their negotiations.
The visit, led by India’s chief negotiator Darpan Jain, was supposed to precede US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s trip to India for the agreement signing. While the two nations have agreed on a broad framework reflecting mutual understanding, no binding commitments have been finalized yet. However, the Supreme Court’s decision has introduced new complexities into the trade dynamics, particularly with Trump’s announcement that he remains committed to the deal despite the court’s rebuff.
Significantly, the ruling has also prompted other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, which had previously finalized agreements with the US on tariffs, to reconsider their positions. South Korea, as reported by The New York Times, has stated that the judicial disapproval of Trump’s tariffs effectively nullifies its 15% reciprocal tariff deal with the US. This raises questions about the enforceability and future of similar deals.
The delay in Jain’s visit is particularly notable given internal signals suggesting that the Modi administration might be open to exploring better terms now that the SCOTUS ruling has created an opportunity to renegotiate. While Trump has indicated that the deal with India remains intact, Indian officials are conducting a legal analysis to assess the potential impact on trade and strategic ties.
The current situation highlights the evolving nature of international trade negotiations, especially in the context of Trump’s use of tariffs as a political tool. With additional 15% tariffs imposed under Section
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026