The United States is pushing ahead with high-stakes trade negotiations with India, with USTR (US Trade Representative) Jamieson Greer telling lawmakers that New Delhi has presented “the best offers we’ve ever received as a country” in efforts to improve market access for American agricultural products.
Speaking during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Greer confirmed that a USTR team was currently in New Delhi working through some of the most sensitive barriers involving farm goods such as grain sorghum and soy. While acknowledging that “there is resistance in India… to certain row crops,” Greer said India’s proposals marked a rare opening in a historically difficult market.
The remarks come at a time when US farmers are grappling with oversupply and uncertain demand from China making India, the world’s most populous nation, a potentially important alternative buyer. “We have to find a way to manage that trade,” Greer said, calling India a promising but challenging market to “crack.”
Growing urgency for alternative export destinations
Committee Chair Jerry Moran pressed Greer on reducing dependence on China amid rising inventories affecting Kansas farmers. Greer argued that the Biden administration’s aggressive pursuit of reciprocal market-access deals worldwide from Southeast Asia to Europe strengthens Washington’s negotiating position with India.
He also suggested that broader tariff and regulatory issues would surface in discussions with New Delhi. When asked about extending zero-tariff treatment for civil aviation parts under the 1979 Aircraft Agreement, Greer said talks with India were “fairly far advanced,” adding that Washington is willing to extend benefits only if India “plays ball” and provides meaningful access in return.
Energy, ethanol and expanding commercial ties
Senators also flagged India as a potential major buyer of US ethanol from corn and soy. While Greer didn’t address India specifically in his response, he noted that many countries have opened their markets for American ethanol, and highlighted the EU’s commitment to purchase “$750 billion in US energy products” over several years, including biofuels.
Throughout the hearing, Greer defended the administration’s trade strategy, arguing that enforcement tools including tariffs remain essential to ensuring compliance and opening markets. “They respond to enforcement,” he told lawmakers.
India–US trade relationship strengthens
Over the past decade, India–US trade ties have expanded across agriculture, aviation, pharmaceuticals, digital services, and critical minerals. India is now one of America’s fastest-growing export destinations, although agriculture has long faced tariff and sanitary barriers.
Talks have accelerated under the US–India Strategic Trade Dialogue and Indo-Pacific economic frameworks as both nations seek supply-chain diversification amid shifting geopolitical realitie
