Trade deal on track, relations with India 'fantastic': Trump
Times of India
by TNNFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in the progress of the India trade deal, calling relations with India "fantastic" and emphasizing that the agreement remains on track. Key points include the continuation of 18% tariffs as part of the interim framework, which both nations agreed upon during negotiations. Indian officials are closely monitoring potential impacts from the US Supreme Court's decisions on tariffs, while also noting a possible window for dialogue since the deal has yet to be finalized.
India's delegation, led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain, is set to visit Washington to finalize the legal text with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The agreement aims to reduce tariffs on most items, with sector-specific rates remaining at 50% for iron and steel, copper, aluminum, auto, and auto parts. This reciprocal arrangement reflects a compromise aimed at balancing trade flows between the two countries.
The interim deal is expected to be operationalized in April, aligning India's export policies with US demands while addressing some of the long-standing trade imbalances
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026