Trade between India and the United States has never been without promise, tension, and a fair amount of negotiation fatigue. That dynamic spilled over again this week as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called India a tough negotiator, although he did mention that New Delhi has offered its most generous proposals so far.
His comments unveiled a moment of cautious optimism as both countries make an attempt to reshape their commercial relationship amid global economic shifts.
India’s Push & the US Perspective
Greer confirmed that an American team is in New Delhi working through sticking points that have long slowed progress. Agricultural exports remain a central hurdle, especially US row crops and meat products, which often face strong resistance in India’s domestic policy environment.
Breaking: “I have a trade team in India right now. India is a very tough nut to crack,” declares US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) December 10, 2025
Even so, Greer noted that Indian negotiators have been more responsive than in past rounds, making the current offer the strongest Washington has seen.
New Markets & Global Pressures
The US, on the other hand, is seeking to implement a wider program to broaden its export footprint. Greer cited countries like Cambodia that have already started lowering barriers, signaling a trend of countries looking for stable supply lines.
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Increasing demand for biofuels, especially those derived from soybeans, raises another level of urgency. According to him, the goal is simple keep American exports flexible, diversified and competitive.
Balancing China & Strategic Priorities
But even as Greer pushed for diversification, he emphasized how critical the China trade linkages remain. The two economies are inexorably linked. As much as Washington seeks alternatives, it is aware that Chinese demand still undergirds many U.S. industries.
“They need our product and we want to sell it,” he said, putting a more practical spin on the relationship than political rhetoric.
Diplomacy Behind the Trade Tables
Along with trade talks, US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to take forward the broader agenda outlined by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi earlier this year.
A separate negotiating team led by Ambassador Rick Switzer is in India for formal discussions on the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement. Their work indicates a new attempt to convert high-level promises into outcomes that matter, for jobs, security, and long-term growth, on both sides.
Disclaimer: This article reflects editorial analysis based on available information and should not be taken as formal trade or policy guidance.
