Trump rules out trade talks with India until tariff issue resolved

Planned August 25 talks in New Delhi now face uncertainty

- MPOST BUREAU

US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of further trade discussions with India until a dispute over steep import duties is resolved. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump was asked if he expected negotiations to resume after his administration doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent. "No, not until we get it resolved," he replied.

The announcement comes just weeks before a 25 per cent penalty on Indian importslinked to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil-takes effect on August 27.

The measure is in addition to an existing 25 per cent levy, bringing the total duty to 50 per cent.

A scheduled round of trade talks between the two nations, planned for August 25 in New Delhi, was aimed at finalising an initial bilateral agreement.

Previous rounds have failed to bridge gaps on sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy.