Nothing imminent: US Trade Representative Greer on India trade deal; Modi, Trump to talk soon

Washington: Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he did not think there was “something imminent” on the trade deal with India and the two sides have identified “the universe of items” that are sticking points.

Addressing a press conference after the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee on Thursday, Greer said President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have another phone call “very soon” to assess the progress on the trade deal.

Greer met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting on Wednesday evening and had a “productive discussion” on the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement.

He said the ‌Trump administration was working with India to finalize a ​bilateral trade deal, ​but added an agreement was ⁠not imminent.

Greer said ​he had “a very constructive ​conversation” with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal at the G20 ​trade ministers meeting ​in Milwaukee this week and that ‌officials ⁠from the two countries were continuing the conversation.