With Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline fast approaching, India is in a high-stakes race to finalize a critical trade deal and avoid a fresh wave of steep U.S. tariffs. As part of a last-minute diplomatic push, Indian and American negotiators are working overtime to iron out the final wrinkles in a mini trade agreement that’s been years in the making. The biggest sticking point? India’s refusal to bow to U.S. pressure to allow imports of genetically modified (GM) crops—a red line due to long-standing concerns over health, environment, and farmer livelihoods. While India is ready to make concessions on ICT goods, medical devices, and agricultural tariffs, it remains firm on GM imports. The proposed deal promises mutual tariff cuts, expanded market access, and closer cooperation in digital trade and IP protection. If signed, it could not only reset U.S.-India trade ties but also help New Delhi sidestep billions in retaliatory duties. But with time ticking down, the world is watching to see whether diplomacy will win—or if another Trump-era tariff war is about to begin.
