U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key trade negotiator under the Trump administration, has urged India to place its trust in President Donald Trump, assuring that the U.S. leader will “take care” of India’s interests as part of a broader strategic partnership.
Speaking at the annual summit of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), Lutnick—who serves as the lead U.S. negotiator in talks with India—struck a tone of cautious optimism regarding the prospects of a forthcoming trade agreement between the two countries.
“The President thinks of America first, but he does not think of America only or exclusively,” Lutnick emphasized. “First, he strengthens home, but then he takes care of his allies. He holds India in deep admiration and respect, and we are poised to have a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.”While the overall tone was upbeat, Lutnick was candid about the hurdles that remain. He called out India’s historically high tariff barriers, labeling the country “very protectionist” and pointing to 100% tariffs on certain goods as major points of contention.
“When you ask why [India has such high tariffs], often the answer is: ‘I don’t know, it just is,’” he said. “We need to rethink that. If India brings down tariffs to reasonable and appropriate levels, we can become exceptional trading partners.”
Lutnick clarified that the U.S. is not seeking complete market dominance, but rather fair access for American businesses. “It’s not about gaining access to everything, everywhere. It’s about targeted, reasonable access that helps reduce the trade deficit,” he explained. He added that India, in return, would seek preferential access to select American markets—framing this as a fair and balanced trade-off.
“The goal is to find a middle ground. If I say, ‘We’ll treat you well on the things most important to you,’ and India lowers tariffs and gives us market access, then we’re in business,” Lutnick said. “It’s about finding the right people on both sides who can get things done.” Concluding his remarks, Lutnick expressed confidence that a U.S.-India trade agreement could be finalized in the near future: “We’ve reached a point that genuinely works for both nations. A deal is not far off.”
