US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has called on trading partners, including India and Brazil, to “react correctly” to the United States by opening their markets and ending policies that harm American interests.
In a recent interview with a television channel, Lutnick emphasized that while the US is keen to resolve trade disputes with its allies, countries like India must shift their stance if they seek improved access to the American market.
“We have several countries to address, like Switzerland, Brazil, and India,” Lutnick said in an interview with a channel. “These are countries that need to really react correctly to America. Open their markets, stop taking actions that harm America, and that’s why we’re offside with them.”
Lutnick suggested that India’s resistance in trade negotiations was largely symbolic. He predicted that New Delhi would return to the negotiating table within “a month or two” driven by pressure from domestic industry stakeholders eager for a deal with Washington.
Highlighting India as one of the “big ones” with whom Washington wants to resolve trade disputes, Lutnick emphasized that if India seeks better market access in the US, “It must adjust its approach. We are at odds with these countries because they have not opened their markets and continue policies that hurt America,” he said.
The comments come just days after a high-level Indian delegation, led by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, held what the Indian government described as “constructive discussions” with US counterparts on various aspects of the ongoing bilateral trade talks. According to a statement issued on September 26, both sides exchanged views on the possible contours of a trade agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to an early, mutually beneficial resolution.