India-US trade deal unchanged, New Delhi still pays tariffs, Trump says
Speaking after the US Supreme Court struck down key elements of the global tariff framework, Trump stated that India would not see immediate relief and emphasized that existing terms under the bilateral trade agreement would remain in force.
The statements suggest Washington intends to preserve country-specific tariff arrangements even as it explores alternative legal avenues to reinstate broader duties invalidated by the court, preventing disruption of ongoing agreements while maintaining pressure on trading partners.
The bilateral trade deal between India and the US was finalized in early February after months of high-stakes negotiations marked by tariff threats, missed deadlines and repeated political signals from both sides. Talks accelerated after Washington imposed onerous mandates on multiple partners in 2025, prompting New Delhi to pursue a calibrated strategy balancing resilience with pressure on sensitive sectors such as agriculture, dairy and digital services.
“I think my relationship with India is great,” Trump said while speaking to reporters at the White House.
Under the agreement announced by Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US tariffs on Indian goods have been reduced to 18% from levels as high as 50% threatened or imposed during the dispute. In return, India has committed to limiting market access privileges and making adjustments to certain trade barriers while maintaining protections in politically sensitive domestic industries.
