JD Vance Hails Modi as 'Tough Negotiator', Predicts Early US-India Trade Deal

US Senator JD Vance has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "tough negotiator," expressing hope that India will be one of the first countries to finalise a trade agreement with the United States, thereby avoiding the reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Vance told Fox News: "Modi, the Prime Minister, is a tough negotiator, but we're going to rebalance that relationship, and that's why the president's doing what he's doing." He was responding to a question on whether India may be the first to negotiate a trade agreement amid ongoing talks to avert the imposition of high import tariffs.

"I'm not sure if this will be your first deal, but I believe it will be one of the first. We're in negotiations with Japan, Korea, some Europeans, and, of course, India," Vance said.

On April 2, President Trump launched a series of retaliatory tariffs aimed at many countries, including India and China. However, on April 9, he suspended these tariffs for 90 days, barring those on China and Hong Kong, to allow for negotiations with approximately 75 countries that have approached the US for trade agreements. The pause will continue until July 9.

Despite the temporary suspension, the baseline 10% duty announced on April 2 remains in effect, as are 25% charges on critical industries like as steel, aluminium, and auto components.

To avoid long-term tariff consequences, India is said to have made major gestures in sectors such as energy and defence spending to improve its trading relationship with the United States. Nonetheless, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has stated that India will not rush into any agreement under duress, emphasising that national interests will remain the top priority.

During Prime Minister Modi's February visit to Washington, India and the US agreed to more than increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Both parties have agreed to complete the first phase of a wide, mutually beneficial trade agreement by autumn 2025. This agreement intends to improve market access, lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, boost trade in goods and services, and deepen supply chain coordination across sectors.