The United States wants a more balanced trade relationship with India, emphasizing the need for fairer trade policies, according to the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking to India Today TV, the official urged India to reduce its reliance on Russian arms purchases and consider trading with the US in a “special way.”
Key priorities for the US include bringing back the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors with the support of tariff protections. Additionally, the US is open to trade deals involving quotas and limits on certain products. The US Commerce Secretary stressed that India’s agricultural market should not remain closed and called for lower tariffs to facilitate American trade.
Instead of negotiating product-by-product, the US is pushing for a broad-based trade agreement. The official highlighted that India has some of the world’s highest tariffs and suggested a re-evaluation of the India-US economic relationship to boost bilateral trade.
“It’s time to take bold action—something grand that strengthens the India-US partnership on a larger scale,” Lutnick said. “Rather than negotiating product by product, we need a comprehensive approach. Lowering India’s tariff policy toward America will open the door for India to seize an extraordinary opportunity and build a deeper relationship with us.”
When questioned about lowering tariffs on specific US imports, such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the Commerce Secretary pushed back, emphasising the need for a comprehensive trade strategy rather than isolated product-based reductions.
“The United States seeks a large-scale, all-encompassing trade agreement with India—one that considers the bigger picture,” the official stated. “This requires a shift in approach, a bold vision. Your Prime Minister is capable of such big thinking, especially given his strong rapport with President Donald Trump.”