Move offers relief to Indian exporters as bilateral trade talks with Washington continue
In a significant development for India-US trade relations, the White House on Monday confirmed the extension of the suspension on reciprocal tariffs originally announced on April 2. The move, which provides temporary relief to Indian exporters, postpones the imposition of a 26% duty on Indian goods until August 1.
The suspension, initially set to expire on July 9, was extended “based on additional information and recommendations from various senior officials” and amid ongoing trade discussions with key partners, according to a White House statement.
India, which is actively negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States, was notably excluded from the latest list of countries served with tariff notifications by the Trump administration. Nations such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Africa received formal letters outlining new US tariffs effective from August 1.
The 90-day pause on India's tariffs, first announced in April, was intended to allow space for negotiations. The current extension signals the US’s intent to continue constructive engagement with New Delhi in pursuit of resolving outstanding issues and finalising a broader trade pact.
