Jamieson Greer, President Donald Trump's nominee to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, appears before the Senate Committee on Finance for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has acknowledged that his country has not been able to secure a trade deal with India, despite being offered “the best we’ve ever received as a country.”
‘India has been quite forward leaning’
Greer made the admission on Tuesday, during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing. The Trade Representative admitted that “India has been a very difficult nut to crack,” but added that a USTR team was currently “in New Delhi, as we speak,” working through sensitive agricultural barriers.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India has offered the best we’ve ever received as a country. (Photo: Reuters)
According to Greer, “there is resistance in India… to certain row crops.” But he expressed optimism, saying that India had been “quite forward leaning” in the latest round of talks.
“India has been a very difficult nut to crack on Trade Deal”
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on American economy, #tariffs and trade deals pic.twitter.com/ZZ1kU9vlKO
At 50 per cent each, India and Brazil have the highest tariff under the Trump administration, which was imposed in August 2025, with exports of textiles, chemicals and food items such as shrimp being affected the most.
India-US trade talks
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer to discuss trade and economic ties between the two countries.
“The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement,” the Department of Commerce said in a post on X.
Commerce Secretary @RajeshAgrawal94 met with U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement.… pic.twitter.com/Y59eBaRxuD
Switzer is leading a US team in New Delhi for two days of trade discussions, as India seeks relief from punitive tariffs imposed by Washington over its purchases of Russian oil.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer.
Discussions covered the strong India–U.S. economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains. pic.twitter.com/sVlOM9z9rv
Exports to the US fell nearly 9% year-on-year in October to $6.31 billion from $6.91 billion a year ago, though they were higher than $5.47 billion in September, Indian government data showed.
Washington is also pushing India to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods and open its market to American farm products, including soybeans and grain sorghum.
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Jamieson Greer, President Donald Trump's nominee to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, appears before the Senate Committee on Finance for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) 
