India Urges Quick U.S. Trade Deal After Tariff Relief

India is pushing to accelerate trade negotiations with the United States following President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to suspend reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries, while intensifying trade pressure on China.

An Indian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the temporary relief is particularly beneficial to Indian exporters, including those in the shrimp industry, who have faced uncertainty amid shifting U.S. trade policies.

“The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is a relief for Indian exporters, especially shrimp exporters,” the official said. “India is one of the first nations to initiate trade deal talks with the United States and to have a jointly agreed deadline for concluding negotiations.”

In February, India and the U.S. committed to finalizing the first phase of a trade agreement by autumn 2025, with a long-term goal of boosting bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

The official noted that broader global trade patterns will remain sensitive to ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. President Trump on Wednesday raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125% while maintaining a 10% reciprocal tariff on goods from India.

Trump’s decision to roll back tariffs on various trading partners, including India, came just a day after triggering significant market volatility with steep new duties. The abrupt policy shift marked the most dramatic disruption in financial markets since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

India’s trade ministry, which is spearheading the talks with Washington, has yet to issue an official comment on the development.