Trump Says India-US Trade Deal Is Close, Hints at Surprise Terms

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington and New Delhi are nearing a trade agreement after more than a year of negotiations. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said both sides want to reach a deal and are close to getting there. He added that the agreement could turn out to be “a much different kind of deal,” but did not explain what he meant. The comments raise hopes that a long-running stalemate between the two economies may soon end.

Officials Strike an Optimistic Tone

Trump’s remarks follow upbeat signals from both capitals. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi last week, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the major issues have already been settled and the two countries are very near to finalising an agreement. Around the same time, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was encouraged by the progress made so far. According to him, both sides are moving toward a landing point. Together, the statements suggest that negotiators have narrowed their differences considerably.

Tariff Waiver Removes a Key Hurdle

A separate decision by Washington may also help the talks. Late on Friday, Trump waived tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas. Those duties could have hit Indian products and complicated the trade negotiations, so their removal clears a potential obstacle. India has been a significant buyer of Russian energy, which made the issue a sensitive one in bilateral discussions.

Neither government has announced a timeline for signing the agreement, and the details of the deal remain unclear. Trump’s hint at a different kind of arrangement leaves room for surprises, whether in scope, tariff levels or sector coverage. For now, the tone from both sides is positive, and businesses, exporters and investors will be watching closely for an official announcement in the coming weeks.