India's blunt answer on Trump's tariff war, Centre said- 'No agreement has been reached yet'

Union Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal on Monday told the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs that talks between India and the US are still going on and no agreement has been reached on trade tariffs yet.

Talks on bilateral trade between the two countries

Several members of the committee expressed concern over US President Donald Trump's claim that India has agreed to reduce tariffs. On this, Barthwal said that no one should trust the US President's claims and media reports as talks on a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries are still going on. India has not expressed any commitment to the US on trade tariffs.

India in favor of free and liberal trade

Sources said that the Commerce Secretary also said that the country's interests will be taken care of during the trade talks. India is in favor of free and liberal trade which will help in increasing trade between the two countries. Tariff war will not benefit any country including America, rather it can lead to recession.

US security concerns

When some members questioned why India was not raising its voice against the tariffs like Canada and Mexico, the commerce secretary said there could be no comparison between the two countries as the US has security concerns and border immigration issues with them.

Important for the domestic economy

Barthwal said India would sign mutually beneficial agreements and protect industries that are important for its domestic economy. He said developing countries cannot reduce tariffs on everything. India can reduce tariffs bilaterally and reciprocally, but not multilaterally, which is why bilateral trade agreements are being negotiated.