Likely Contours of an India-US Trade Deal

Summary of India-US Trade Deal Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the potential contours of a trade deal between India and the United States, focusing on various sectors including manufactured goods, agriculture, and services. Key Points and Arguments Trade Deal Framework - A pre-July 09 trade deal could serve as a broad framework until a comprehensive agreement is finalized before the QUAD summit in October/November [1] - The deal aims to reinforce India-US trade ties and target a bilateral trade volume of USD 500 billion by 2030 [3] Tariffs on Manufactured Goods - Uncertainty exists regarding whether the deal will feature "zero-for-zero" tariffs or retain the current 10% baseline US tariff on Indian exports [9] - The weighted average tariff on US goods in India is approximately 11%, with significant variations across categories, such as food attracting tariffs of 30-80% [4] Agricultural Products - Negotiations on agricultural products are expected to be complex, with India's tariffs on US agricultural goods averaging 30-80% [12] - The US seeks greater market access for its agricultural products, while India aims to protect its agricultural sector, which supports about 60% of its population [12] Energy and Defense Imports - India is expected to increase its imports of energy and defense products from the US, with mineral oil and fuel imports from the US already surging by 67% in value terms [13] - The deal may also facilitate US private sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector [13] Services Trade - Discussions related to services trade are ongoing but are likely to be part of a broader Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rather than the immediate tariff deal [16] - Digital trade issues and technology partnerships are anticipated to be sensitive topics, particularly concerning American tech companies [16] Non-Tariff Barriers - The US may request India to remove some non-tariff barriers to provide better access for US firms in Indian markets [14] - India's existing trade agreements, such as with the UK, have included reductions in non-tariff barriers, which may set a precedent for the US deal [14] Currency Considerations - Currency issues are unlikely to be a significant part of the trade deal due to India's negative Net International Investment Position (NIIP) and the volatility of the Indian Rupee [22] Future Outlook - The initial trade deal is expected to be a broad framework, with more detailed negotiations to follow [19] - A comprehensive version of the deal could be finalized before the QUAD leaders' summit, with India aiming to convert it into a Bilateral Trade Agreement for greater certainty over tariff rates [19] Additional Important Points - The potential impact of the trade deal on India's macroeconomic environment will depend on whether the US imposes lower tariffs than those on India's Asian peers [22] - The complexity of agricultural negotiations may also involve specific products like maize, soybeans, and dairy, which have significant implications for Indian farmers [18] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of the India-US trade deal discussions, highlighting the complexities and potential outcomes of the negotiations.