Jaishankar Responds to Trump’s ‘Zero Tariff’ Remark: India-US Trade Deal Still Under Negotiation

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar clarified on Thursday that no final decision has been made regarding a trade agreement between India and the United States. Addressing the media, he stated, “Trade talks between India and the US are ongoing. These are complex negotiations. Nothing is decided till everything is.” He emphasized that any potential deal must be balanced and beneficial to both nations.

Jaishankar’s comments followed a statement by US President Donald Trump in Doha, where he claimed, “India offered the US a deal, basically zero tariffs,” according to a Bloomberg report. While the comment hinted at movement in the protracted trade discussions between the two countries, it lacked detail on which sectors or goods might be involved.

The Indian government has not officially confirmed Trump’s assertion, leaving open questions about whether the zero-tariff proposal applies broadly or to specific categories of American exports. A day prior, during a speech in Michigan, Trump had described the negotiations as progressing well and suggested a breakthrough could be near.

Amid these developments, the US temporarily lifted additional tariffs on Indian goods from April 10 to July 9, citing positive momentum in talks. This followed Trump’s April 2 decision to implement sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly 60 nations, including a 26% duty on Indian products such as shrimp and steel.

The tariff campaign forms part of Trump’s wider strategy to reduce the US trade deficit and support domestic manufacturing. Indian exporters—particularly in the seafood and metal sectors—have felt the impact of these trade measures. If confirmed, India’s reported offer could help recalibrate the economic relationship and ease bilateral tensions as the July deadline approaches. For now, as Jaishankar reiterated, the outcome remains uncertain.