Trump Hints at India-US Trade Deal, Draws Parallel with Indonesia Pact

US President Donald Trump has suggested that a trade deal with India could be on the horizon, though he stopped short of confirming it. “Another deal is coming… maybe,” Trump said, in a remark widely interpreted as a reference to India, according to Reuters.

“We have some pretty good deals to announce,” he added, highlighting progress with Japan and indicating that similar movement could happen with India. The statement comes as a delegation from India’s Commerce Ministry is currently in Washington for another round of trade talks.

Earlier this month, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal maintained that India will only sign a deal that is thoroughly finalized and in the national interest. “We do not enter into trade agreements based on deadlines,” Goyal stated, as reported by PTI.

Trump’s remarks follow his earlier comments this week in which he said India is “working on the same line” as Indonesia in terms of opening up access for US trade.

Indonesia Deal Sets the Tone

In contrast to India, Trump has already sealed a sweeping trade agreement with Indonesia. Under the deal, US exports will enjoy full access to the Indonesian market, while Indonesian goods exported to the US will face a 19% tariff—down from an initially proposed 32%. In return, Indonesia has agreed to buy $15 billion worth of US energy, $4.5 billion in American agricultural products, and 50 Boeing jets, including 777 models.

Trump praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, calling him a “great president,” and noted that the deal gives the US “access to the entire country,” which was previously limited.

“I think something similar will happen, I would say, with India,” Trump added, signaling optimism about a comparable outcome with New Delhi.

Deadline Pressure

Despite the upbeat tone, a looming deadline casts a shadow over the ongoing India-US trade talks. If a deal is not reached by August 1, Indian goods exported to the US will face an additional 16% reciprocal tariff, atop the existing 10% baseline. However, the deadline may be extended if negotiations continue to show progress.

The evolving talks mark a critical moment in India-US trade relations, with both sides balancing domestic interests and strategic alignment amid a shifting global economic landscape.