GTRI Urges India to Halt Trade Talks with US Amid Mounting Pressure

India should suspend all trade negotiations with the United States and engage with the Trump administration in the same way as nations like China and Canada, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) suggested on Saturday.

Ajay Srivastava, the founder of GTRI, stated that the US is pushing India to accept trade demands that primarily serve American interests. He accused President Donald Trump of misrepresenting trade data and publicly undermining India.

“Trump is using incorrect data to insult India. Given this hostile stance, no balanced trade agreement can be reached. India should withdraw from talks and adopt a more strategic approach,” Srivastava said.

Retaliation from Other Countries

China and Canada have already announced countermeasures against US tariffs. However, India has yet to respond decisively to Trump’s claims that his administration forced India to cut tariffs on American imports.

“This statement is false and intended to pressure India. The silence from the Indian government is baffling,” Srivastava added.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also insisted that India must open its agriculture market as part of a broader trade deal. He pushed for a comprehensive agreement instead of a product-specific approach, which experts warn could lead to further American demands