In a bold declaration from the White House on Thursday, US President Donald Trump teased the prospect of a “very big” trade deal with India, signaling momentum in negotiations that have been quietly unfolding behind closed doors.
Speaking at the high-profile “Big Beautiful Event,” Trump described the potential agreement as a “great deal” and hinted it could soon follow other recent trade breakthroughs. “Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it,” he said, referencing the media’s previous skepticism. “Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We have one coming up, maybe with India. A very big one.”
#WATCH | “…We just signed (trade deal) with China. We’re not going to make deals with everybody… But we’re having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India, a very big one. We’re going to open up India. In the China deal, we’re starting to open up China.… pic.twitter.com/fJwmz1wK44
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
Trump’s comments come just weeks after US and Indian trade negotiators wrapped up a four-day round of intensive discussions, aimed at crafting a comprehensive pact to significantly boost market access in both countries. The negotiations, which concluded on June 10, reportedly covered a range of key issues—from industrial and agricultural trade to tariff reductions and the dismantling of non-tariff barriers.
The US delegation was led by officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative, while India’s side was spearheaded by Rajesh Agrawal from the Ministry of Commerce. According to insiders, the talks are part of a broader effort to grow bilateral trade from its current level of $190 billion to an ambitious $500 billion by 2030.
Echoing Trump’s enthusiasm, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the two nations are committed to reaching a “fair and equitable” deal. “PM Modi and President Trump met in February 2025 and agreed to pursue a bilateral trade agreement that benefits both our economies, businesses, and people,” Goyal stated. “We are negotiating to make a nice, fair, equitable, and balanced agreement to promote business.”
Adding to the sense of optimism, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recently affirmed that a deal could be finalized soon, highlighting the progress both sides have made in aligning their strategic interests.
Yet, Trump was clear that the US would remain selective in its trade partnerships. “We’re not going to make deals with everybody,” he said, suggesting a more aggressive approach for certain nations. “Some we are just going to send them a letter, say thank you very much. You are to pay 25, 35, 45 percent.”
While the India deal is still in the works, Trump celebrated the completion of a separate trade agreement with China, signed just a day prior. Though details remain limited, a White House official confirmed the pact includes provisions to accelerate the flow of rare earth materials from China to the US—an area of growing strategic importance.
The deal also reportedly includes a supplementary framework for the implementation of the Geneva agreement, a move seen as a stabilizing gesture following months of strained US-China trade relations.
