USTR Jamieson Greer’s India Visit Signals Momentum for U.S.–India Trade Agreement

USTR Jamieson Greer's New Delhi visit reinforced momentum for an interim India–U.S. trade agreement and the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement, highlighting efforts to deepen economic cooperation despite ongoing tariff and market access challenges.

By Anagha Chakravarti 

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer visited New Delhi, India from June 22-24, 2026. During his visit, his delegation met with India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and other senior trade officials. The USTR delegation was also accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor.

The goal of this visit was to discuss an interim India-U.S. trade agreement and a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).  While progress was made and there was a thorough review by the negotiating teams from D.C. and Delhi, officials “failed to mention any deadlines for either deal.”

Two major trade deals

The interim agreement was first signed in February 2026 and was expected to be completed by May 2026, while the BTA was supposed to be completed by the fall of 2025. 

The intern agreement aims to achieve commercial gains by focusing on regulatory cooperation, market access improvements for U.S. goods, targeted tariff reductions on certain agricultural products, and deepening cooperation on digital trade.

The BTA is a more long term framework that includes provisions to strengthen supply‑chain resilience, expand cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and reduce non‑tariff barriers that have long hindered bilateral trade.

According to BowerGroup Asia India’s Managing Director, Anuj Gupta, “the talks now appear to be moving from broad political commitments toward sector-specific trade-offs including agriculture, and industrial goods.”

Why the visit matters

USTR’s visit to Delhi is important for a few reasons. It signals a reset moment in US-India economic ties, showcases momentum toward a larger bilateral trade agreement, and reflects a shared desire to diversify supply chains and expand digital and services trade.

Representatives from both sides committed to securing an agreement that would bring practical benefits for “businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers,” in India and the US.

Ambassador Greer acknowledged India's commitment to collaborate with the U.S. on the “technology and the trade of the future.” Finance Minister Sitharaman noted in a social media that both sides discussed views on “strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.” 

US-India trade relations in Trump 2.0

India is engaged with the U.S. on the proposed tariff measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 which is a U.S. law. The U.S. was India’s second largest trading partner in 2025-26 and as of mid-2026, most Indian exports to the U.S. face a 10% baseline tariff under Section 122 with some categories facing higher surcharges. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump recently met on the sidelines of the G7 meetings in France which took place from June 15-17. During those meetings, President Trump mentioned that “India and the U.S. were very close to finalising the trade agreement.” 

The Trump 2.0 administration has viewed US-India trade ties through tariff leverage, reciprocity, and Section 301 enforcement. Therefore, Ambassador Greer’s visit to New Delhi was a critical moment for both sides to accelerate work on an interim trade deal, manage tariff related risks, and signal that - despite the obstacles in enforcement - the U.S. views India as a priority economic partner .

Even as Washington deploys Section 301 investigations and considers broader tariff actions, it is evident that the U.S. and India are focused on advancing their trade agreement and committed to building a more predictable, strategically aligned economic partnership. As negotiations enter their next phase, the challenge will be translating this diplomatic momentum into durable outcomes for businesses on both sides.

About the Author

Anagha Chakravarti is an International Relations graduate student at Johns Hopkins SAIS with research interests in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, security, and development.

Her work focuses on India, Southeast Asia, and emerging regional dynamics, drawing on experience across policy research, strategic affairs, and international engagement.