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In a significant development for global trade diplomacy, former US President Donald Trump has hinted at a major trade deal with India, calling it a “very big” agreement that could be finalized soon. His remarks came during his speech at the Big Beautiful Bill program, where he also highlighted recent economic agreements involving China.

What Trump Said:

“We just signed a deal with China yesterday. Now, we are probably making a deal with India — a very big deal. We are opening the doors for India.”

Trump emphasized that while the US is not signing trade agreements with every country, India is an exception due to its growing strategic and economic relevance. His words suggest a fast-tracked effort to deepen US-India commercial ties, which have seen rapid progress over the last few years.

Key Highlights:

• Trump’s remarks follow the recent US-China agreement on rare earth mineral shipments, aimed at reducing American dependence on critical Chinese exports.

• Trump described the upcoming India deal as “very big”, suggesting it could involve tariff reductions, market access, and expanded bilateral trade cooperation.

• He made it clear that the US is being selective in forming trade partnerships, reinforcing the importance of India in Washington’s global economic strategy.

Supporting Signals:

Earlier this month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had hinted that a US-India trade deal was in the final stages:

“We’re very close… You should expect an agreement between the US and India in the near future.”

This aligns with long-running negotiations between the two nations on key trade issues including pharmaceuticals, data protection, e-commerce regulations, agricultural goods, and tariff barriers.

Why This Matters:

• India-US trade crossed $190 billion in recent years, and both nations aim to significantly expand this figure.

• The deal could help resolve trade irritants, improve access for American companies to Indian markets, and vice versa.

• It would also strengthen strategic ties between the two democracies amid rising global geopolitical tensions, particularly with China.

What to Watch For:

• The exact contents and timeline of the deal remain undisclosed.

• Details are likely to emerge after formal bilateral meetings or possible announcements by trade representatives.

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