Trump, Modi to Discuss Tariffs

Meeting of Minds

- MUKESH JAGOTA

India and the US will be holding discussions on tariffs after the recent Budget announcements on rationalisation of import duties when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump next week, a senior official said on Friday.

Reviving trade negotiations and investment issues will be the priority areas in the discussion between the two leaders, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said in a media briefing on the PM's visit to the US and France.

Modi will be in the US for a two-day working visit, starting February 12, on the invitation of Trump where energy and defence matters will also be on the table.

In the first Trump presidency, India and the US had initiated discussions on a limited trade deal but then efforts were given up after the change of administration.

The Budget last week had rationalised the import tariff structure in India, doing away with the rates of over 70%. This adjustment is likely to blunt Trump's criticism of India, who has called India "tariff champion" and "abuser of tariffs".