Following the temporary suspension of tariffs on India by US President Donald Trump, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that India would not rush into any decisions and would continue to negotiate in alignment with the nation’s best interests. Goyal underlined that the country’s trade discussions are being steered with a careful and deliberate approach, focused solely on the welfare of its citizens.
Addressing attendees at the Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum, Goyal stressed the importance of mutual understanding in trade talks. “Trade talks proceed when both sides are sensitive to each other’s concerns and requirements. All our trade talks are progressing well, in the spirit of India First, and to ensure our pathway to Viksit Bharat @ 2047 in the Amrit Kaal…” he remarked, alluding to India’s long-term developmental goals.
Goyal also made it clear that India would never succumb to external pressure or artificial urgency in any negotiation. “We never negotiate at gunpoint. Favourable time constraints motivate us for quicker talks, but till the time we are not able to secure the interest of our country and our people, we do not hurry,” he stated.
While the Commerce Minister projected a steady and measured approach, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed a more proactive stance in response to developments in global trade dynamics, particularly with the United States. Speaking at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar acknowledged the pressing need to conclude trade agreements swiftly, especially with nations like the US, which he said has undergone a significant shift in how it engages globally.
Jaishankar pointed out that trade negotiations with the US have grown more complex due to heightened expectations and the transformed global environment compared to the previous year. “This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency. I mean, we see a window. We want to see stuff. So our trade deals are really challenging. And we are really, when I look at the trade deals, I mean it’s not my direct credit, but we have a lot to do with each other. I mean, these are people very much on top of their game, very ambitious about what they want to achieve,” he commented.
The minister further emphasized the importance of having a realistic understanding of the intentions and perceptions of trade partners. According to Jaishankar, both India and the US have long-standing opinions about each other’s trade policies, which have not always aligned seamlessly. “We talked for four years during the first Trump administration. They have their view of us, and frankly, we have our view of them. The bottom line is that they didn’t get that,” he said, referencing the limited progress made during earlier talks.
Drawing a parallel with India’s trade negotiations with the European Union, Jaishankar pointed out that international trade talks often face delays and stagnation. He mentioned that although negotiations with the EU are often cited as spanning three decades, this portrayal isn’t entirely accurate. “So if you look at the EU, often people say we’ve been negotiating for 30 years, which is not entirely true because we had big blocks of time and nobody was even talking to each other. But they have tended to be very protracted processes,” he clarified.
Jaishankar also touched on the broader geopolitical implications of trade and technology, especially concerning the dynamic between the US and China. He highlighted how decisions made by both countries significantly shape global trade and strategic alignments. According to him, the influence wielded by both the US and China in shaping the future of international trade cannot be underestimated.
Even as India balances its trade strategy with the US, tensions escalated between the US and China in the same domain. In a retaliatory move, China announced steep tariff hikes on a wide range of US imports. The decision was made public on Friday, when Beijing revealed plans to increase tariffs on all goods imported from the United States to a staggering 125 percent. This marked a considerable rise from the previous tariff rate of 84 percent.
The announcement, reported by China’s official news agency Xinhua, attributed the decision to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. According to the report, the new tariff structure will be implemented starting April 12, sending a strong signal of Beijing’s unwillingness to back down in the face of American trade measures.
In addition to increasing tariffs, China has also taken formal steps through international legal mechanisms. The Chinese commerce ministry, as reported by Xinhua, disclosed that it had lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization in response to the latest round of US tariff increases. This legal move underlines Beijing’s intention to contest the US actions on global platforms and to seek redress through established institutions.
These developments come amid rising trade friction worldwide, with countries increasingly asserting their sovereignty and strategic priorities through economic means. India, while affected by the broader shifts in the global order, is positioning itself carefully, using a blend of urgency and caution to navigate the evolving landscape.
The Indian government’s dual approach—combining Goyal’s emphasis on patient and interest-based negotiation with Jaishankar’s sense of urgency—reflects a nuanced response to the rapidly changing global trade environment. On one hand, there is a firm resolve not to be rushed or pressured into unfavorable agreements. On the other, there is a recognition that strategic opportunities must be seized when available, particularly when dealing with major economic powers like the United States.
Both ministers’ remarks highlight the careful balancing act India must perform to maximize its trade benefits without compromising national interests. As global trade dynamics become increasingly influenced by geopolitics, especially with rivalries intensifying between major powers such as the US and China, India is likely to continue pursuing deals that are mutually beneficial but not rushed.
While China’s aggressive countermeasures demonstrate a confrontational stance, India’s response underscores a commitment to thoughtful and calculated policymaking. With the goal of achieving a developed India by 2047, policymakers appear determined to prioritize sustainable and strategic trade partnerships rather than reactive ones.
As negotiations with global partners continue, it remains to be seen how India will shape its agreements amid external pressures and internal developmental ambitions. The coming months are likely to test the Indian leadership’s ability to balance diplomacy, economics, and long-term vision in an increasingly complex world trade order.