August 18, 2025 | 03:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Negotiations on trade between India and the U.S. have come to a temporary halt. According to The Indian Express report, the scheduled August visit of the U.S. trade team has been put on hold. This meeting was intended as a follow-up to the negotiations that began in February after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington.
Trump's High Tariffs
The stalemate in the talks is amidst the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian products, which is cited as the highest against any country in the world. Twenty-five percent of the tariffs are already in effect, and an additional 25 percent related to trade with Russia are pending geopolitical developments.
As reported by Fox News, Trump said, "Well, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot..." Trump said that imposing secondary sanctions or tariffs would be very detrimental to India. He is prepared to do so if necessary, though such action may not be taken.
Protection for Farmers
One of the major obstacles to the deal is the U.S. demand for greater market access in the agricultural and dairy sector. India refuses, citing protection for small farmers and religious sensitivity in milk imports.
A day after the announcement of the additional tariffs on August 7, Modi emphasized that India will not compromise, even if it means having to bear a very personal cost.
In his Independence Day speech on August 15, he reiterated that stance. "Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to the farmers, fishermen and cattle-rearers of India. India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock rearers, its fishermen," said Modi at Red Fort, New Delhi.
As reported by NDTV, the trade meeting originally scheduled for August 25-29 has been canceled and is likely to be rescheduled. The negotiations were initially seen as crucial as they coincided with the August 27 deadline when the additional 25 percent tariffs were set to take effect, and also approached the target for finalizing the agreement in September-October.
Editor's Choice: India's Modi Seeks 'Self-Reliance' on Independence Day
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Flooding Kills Over 300 People in Pakistan, India
1 hari lalu
Floods triggered by cloudbursts and monsoon rains have killed at least 300 people with many more still missing in Pakistan and India.
Trump Says It's on Zelensky to "Get It Done" After Talks with Putin
1 hari lalu
Trump says after a meeting with Putin, it's now the turn of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders to "get it done."
Hurricane Erin Intensifies into a Category 2 Storm
1 hari lalu
Erin is the Atlantic season's first hurricane and is set to escalate over the weekend though the threat of direct impacts appears to be receding.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Seeks Zero-Percent Tariffs for Key Exports to the U.S.
2 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Blood Moon Is Coming on September 7; Here's When and Where to See Worldwide
2 hari lalu
On September 7, a rare blood moon will be visible to over 7 billion people worldwide, with totality expected to span 82 minutes. Learn more here.
India's Modi Seeks 'Self-Reliance' on Independence Day
2 hari lalu
India's Prime Minister vowed to defend the country's agricultural interests, a sticking point in trade negotiations with the U.S.
Indonesia Seeks Zero-Percent Tariffs for Key Exports to the U.S.
3 hari lalu
The United States' reciprocal 19 percent tariff on Indonesian products is set to take effect on August 7, 2025.
Kashmir: Flash Flood Kills Dozens in Himalayan Village
3 hari lalu
A second deadly flood in just over a week has struck another Himalayan village, this time in Indian-administered Kashmir.
South Korea's Top Court Rejects 'Baby Shark' Copyright Claim
3 hari lalu
South Korean company Pinkfong's "Baby Shark" exploded globally after its 2015 release.
Rupiah Strengthens to Rp16,201 per US Dollar Today
3 hari lalu
Rupiah is projected to continue strengthening in tomorrow's trading, Friday, August 15, 2025.
