India won't move ahead with US trade pact without tariff edge; deal framework ready, says Goyal

The framework for the proposed India-US trade agreement has been finalised, but its implementation will depend on resolving outstanding tariff-related issues, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday, June 21.
“We cannot implement the FTA until we secure a competitive advantage,” Goyal said, explianing that India is seeking lower duties than those faced by competing nations before the agreement is rolled out.
“The issue currently pending is that our duties need to be lower compared to those of competing nations; once this is settled, the trade agreement will be implemented,” he added.
The union minister’s latest remarks on the long-pending interim deal come as India is set to welcome US ​Trade Representative ‌Jamieson Greer on June ⁠23-24 to finalise terms of the deal, according to Reuters.