Trump says US 'very close' to a trade deal with India

President Donald Trump announced Monday evening that the United States is on the verge of concluding a trade pact with India as the deadline for America's April 2 'reciporal tariffs' was extended to August 1. “We’ve finalised agreements with the United Kingdom and China, and we’re very close to securing a deal with India,” Trump told reporters after he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for dinner at the White House. Trump administration has already issued formal notices to 14 other countries including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Myanmar informing them of the substantial new tariffs that will be enforced starting August.The announcement comes days after Indian negotiators returned to New Delhi after extended talks on the ambitious India-US free trade agreement that is due to be concluded by fall 2025. The Republic leader had slapped 26% tariffs on Indian goods in his April 2 order, which was later cut down to 10% basic duty until July 9, now ended by nearly another month.