
Negotiations going on for win-win trade agreement with US: Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Speaking to reporters, Piyush Goyal said, 'Negotiations are going on at a very fast pace and in the spirit of mutual cooperation so that we can come out with a win-win trade complementing agreement with the United States.'
Goyal's statement comes in the backdrop of talks with the US to finalise a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
India is making concrete progress toward finalising a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States, with both countries committed to following the path outlined by their respective leaders, a senior government official said on Monday.
Speaking on the ongoing trade negotiations, the official emphasised that India is 'moving in terms of a BTA' and actively 'looking at a mutually beneficial deal' that would serve the interests of both nations.
The official highlighted that the current negotiations are proceeding along the framework established by the leadership of both countries, stating, 'We are following the path of BTA, which the two leaders have decided.
'When asked about the structure and timeline of the potential agreement, the official indicated that both nations are maintaining flexibility in their approach.
'We are looking at BTA. How it moves forward, whether there will be a first phase, a second phase, whatever phases will happen that will be mutually decided,' the official explained.
A high-level team from India's Commerce and Industry Ministry has arrived in Washington DC, to take forward crucial negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States.
This round of negotiations is expected to begin on Monday morning (US time) and will continue for four days, another official told ANI.
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, will join the scheduled discussions on Wednesday.
India and the US have to narrow differences in sectors like agriculture and automobiles, and are looking for a win-win pact for both sides.
The Trump administration has deferred imposing additional tariffs on several countries, including India, till August 1, with the two sides now having additional time to negotiate a deal beyond the initial deadline of July 9. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
This Move From Tesla Screams Desperation
Key Points Tesla is beginning to import vehicles to sell in India. Tariffs and duties can add 100% to the cost of import vehicles in India. Investors need to tune in to Tesla's shareholder meeting in November. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › When it rains, it pours, and that's a saying that Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) investors know all too well right now. If consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political stint wasn't enough, a number of executives have left the company recently, sales are in decline globally, its vehicle lineup is aging, its Cybertruck was a commercial flop, and it's facing a growing number of lawsuits surrounding its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, among other developments -- it's certainly raining. The bad news? Tesla's latest move could signal just how desperate the automaker is right now. To India!? Entering the world's third-largest automotive market can't be the worst strategic move, right? While that would be the common thought process, the scenario is a bit different between Tesla and India. That's because while India is the third-largest automotive market, Tesla's Model Y, which the company recently launched in India, will target an electric vehicle segment that represents a modest 4% of overall sales. To make matters worse, Musk himself has long criticized India for its steep tariffs on import vehicles. In fact, importing vehicles into India can often result in tariffs and related duties that can exceed 100%, drastically driving up the price for consumers. Tesla's strategy is simple: Take excess inventory from countries where demand and sales have plunged, and move it to a new market. The problem is that, due to tariffs and duties, Tesla's Model Y starts at about $70,000 in India -- the highest price among major markets. That compares unfavorably to roughly $45,000 in the U.S., $36,700 in China, and $53,700 in Germany. On one hand, it seems like a worthwhile attempt to stoke some sales globally, but on the other hand, it does seem like a move of desperation as the company deals with global sales adversity for the first time. That said, this isn't the first time Tesla has flirted with India. The company once considered opening a factory there and has commented that it still hopes to do research and development and manufacturing in India one day. What's next for investors? Some of the best investing advice can be summed up with "invest in what you know." That's the dilemma for some long-term and potential Tesla investors. The automaker is almost in an identity crisis, figuring out whether it's a vehicle manufacturer, a robotaxi company, a robotics company, an artificial intelligence business, or some combination of the above. Not only do Tesla investors have to worry about Musk's time being divided between SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and xAI, among others, but there's also concern about a deepening tie to politics. "Tesla is heading into one of the most important stages of its growth cycle with the autonomous and robotics future now on the doorstep and cannot have Musk spending more and more time creating a political party which will require countless time, energy, and political capital," wrote Dan Ives, a Wedbush Securities analyst known for being a Tesla bull, according to CNN Business. That's why it'll be as important as ever for investors to tune in to Tesla's annual shareholder meeting, scheduled for November, to see what insights and vision management has going forward. For long-term investors, backlash will likely eventually fade, although it'll take time to mend the trust with consumers. However, for new potential investors, it may be wise to watch this from the sidelines until Tesla figures out its identity. Don't miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 14, 2025


Canada News.Net
8 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Weight-loss drug prices prompt rethink of US health benefits
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Rising spending on weight-loss and specialty drugs is prompting a majority of large U.S. employers to scale back health benefits in 2026, as budgets come under pressure, a new Mercer survey released on July 16 shows. Among companies with 500 or more employees, 51 percent said they plan to increase cost-sharing for workers in 2026 — such as by raising deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums — up from 45 percent who plan similar increases in 2025. Soaring costs of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, are at the heart of employer concerns. According to Mercer, 77 percent of employers now rank Wegovy as a top cost concern. "More clients are saying ... 'I don't know how much longer we can sustain covering these medications,'" said Alysha Fluno, a pharmacy innovation leader at Mercer. While some companies initially offered coverage for GLP-1 drugs in hopes of lowering long-term health costs tied to obesity, surging prices are causing second thoughts. "Some employers facing big cost increases in 2026 may feel this coverage is out of reach," Fluno said. Competition from new drugs in the coming years may give pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) more leverage to negotiate lower prices. The current GLP-1 drugs list costs over US$1,000 per month, though many insured patients pay less. The Mercer report says prescription drug costs jumped eight percent last year, and overall health benefit costs are expected to rise 5.8 percent in 2025. Employers are also rethinking their relationships with PBMs — middlemen between drugmakers and insurers — amid concerns over transparency and pricing practices. Thirty-four percent are considering switching PBMs, and 40 percent are exploring alternative drug pricing models. The scrutiny follows regulatory criticism of major PBMs like CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx for steering patients toward high-cost drugs — a claim the industry denies. This week, CalPERS, one of the nation's largest public healthcare purchasers, announced it would switch PBMs in 2026, citing the need for better oversight and transparency.


CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
ADVERTISEMENT Watch ‘We need to make some changes': Canada Post spokesperson on how delivery model affects union talks Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton says part-time staffing is a key sticking point in ongoing talks with the postal workers' union.
Watch Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton says part-time staffing is a key sticking point in ongoing talks with the postal workers' union.