US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore on Thursday shared an update on the Indo-US trade agreement, while criticizing the European Union over its delayed negotiations on a free trade agreement with New Delhi.
Speaking during an event held at the American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, the US envoy stated that the temporary agreement between Washington and New Delhi is on the table for finalization.
“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for finalization, opening the door to prosperity for both countries,” Gore said. “We look forward to finalizing the details of a new bilateral trade agreement that will expand market access, reduce barriers, and create greater certainty for businesses on both sides.”
He added that a delegation from the United States will take another look at the deal before it is finalized and concluded.
The American envoy said: “Last month, an Indian delegation visited Washington, D.C., to help finalize the trade agreement. Next month, an American delegation will also focus on the agreement.”
While sharing this update, the US official also made a veiled jibe at the European Union and the free trade agreement it signed with India.
Referring to the ongoing negotiations between India and the United States despite the announcement of the deal, Gore said that these negotiations only lasted a year and a half, in contrast to “19 years with the European Union.”
The India-EU FTA was signed in January 2026. Dubbed the “mother of all deals”, the trade agreement follows long-running negotiations, which first began in 2007.
“We are confident that this trade agreement will be finalized in the coming weeks and months,” Gore added.
About the trade agreement between India and the United States
India and the United States announced the trade deal in February 2026. With few details about the agreement, the trade deal brought tariff relief to India by reducing the tax from 50% to 18%.
According to Gore, the deal, once finalized and implemented, will strengthen supply chains, stimulate new investments, and drive sustainable inclusive growth.
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The US envoy added, “Our shared ambition to achieve $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 reflects the interconnectedness of our economies, the built trust, and the scale of opportunity. We stand at a remarkable moment. Over the past two decades, bilateral trade has grown from about $20 billion to more than $220 billion in goods and services – an 11-fold increase that reflects deep trust and enhanced economic integration.”
