Davos remarks signal reset after tariffs strained bilateral trade talks
DAVOS, Jan 22 (The CONNECT) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed renewed optimism about an India–United States trade agreement, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and signalling momentum toward a potential breakthrough after months of strained negotiations.
Speaking to Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said he held “great respect” for Modi, calling him “a fantastic man and a friend of mine,” and added, “We are going to have a good deal.”
Moneycontrol is part of Network18, India’s largest digital platform for business and financial news.
The interaction marked Trump’s only engagement with Indian media at Davos, in response to a question by Moneycontrol’s Chandra Srikant on the status of the long-pending bilateral trade pact.
Trade relations between Washington and New Delhi had deteriorated sharply in August last year after the US raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, triggering a pause in negotiations. While talks have since resumed, key differences remain unresolved.
The US continues to press for greater access to India’s agriculture sector, a politically sensitive area that New Delhi has consistently sought to protect.
“India and the US were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement as far back as February 13 last year. Since then, both sides have held multiple rounds of discussions to arrive at a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. On several occasions, we have been close to a deal,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on January 9.
Jaiswal added that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump spoke eight times last year, covering a wide range of issues across the bilateral partnership.
Trump’s latest remarks at Davos now point to renewed momentum and raise expectations of progress toward finalising the long-awaited trade agreement between the two countries.
Moneycontrol is part of Network18, India’s largest digital platform for business and financial news.
