India wants steel, aluminum tariffs to be part of BTA with US

India wants the 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports enforced by the Trump administration to be included in the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) that is currently being negotiated, rather than being addressed separately, two people aware of the matter told Mint on condition of anonymity.

- Dhirendra Kumar

India and the US are gearing up for the second round of face-to-face talks on the agreement in Washington, with the Indian side led by its chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal.

"This issue is part of India's agenda note for the talks," said one of the two persons.

These duties, in effect since 12 March, are part of a broader reciprocal tariff hike by the US. These also include a 25% tariff on automobiles that is effective from 3 April.

"India sees the BTA as a key platform to resolve such trade irritants and ensure long-term predictability in bilateral commerce," said the second person.