On Wednesday, Peter Navarro, President Donald Trump’s chief trade advisor, stated that the White House is operating on what he described as “Trump time” in its negotiations for a tariff agreement with India. This phrase implies a swift pace, indicating the administration’s urgency in concluding the deal.
According to Navarro, the trade agreement with India is nearing completion. His comments follow a statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who mentioned on Tuesday that progress was being made towards finalizing a trade deal with New Delhi.
These remarks come amid growing skepticism among investors and consumers regarding Trump’s ability to deliver on a series of bilateral trade agreements, which he initially promised alongside the rollout of his aggressive tariff policies earlier this month.
Business leaders had anticipated that the administration would negotiate deals with major trading partners before Trump’s significant tariffs would disrupt American imports and exports, potentially impacting U.S. economic growth adversely.
The first quarter of the year saw the U.S. gross domestic product decline by 0.3%, a result largely attributed to uncertainties surrounding Trump’s ongoing trade disputes.
Earlier this week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed a trade agreement had been finalized, though he refrained from disclosing the specific country involved. According to Lutnick, a deal is ready and awaiting approval from the respective country’s leadership.
“I have a deal done, done, done, done, but I need to wait for their prime minister and their parliament to give its approval, which I expect shortly,” Lutnick said during an interview with Finance Newso’s Brian Sullivan.
The White House has yet to provide detailed information regarding the potential terms of a trade agreement with India. However, President Trump himself has suggested that a deal—or at least a framework for one—may be on the horizon.
During a recent address, Trump remarked that discussions regarding tariffs with India are progressing well, expressing optimism about reaching an agreement.
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance visited India last week and held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Bessent commenting that the two leaders had made “very good progress.”
While Navarro indicated that he is not a primary negotiator in the discussions, he is closely monitoring the proceedings. He noted that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is collaborating closely with Lutnick on the negotiations.
“The president is the master strategist, the commander in chief. I’m just here to serve and help him do what he wants to do in what might be the best way possible, both tactically and strategically,” Navarro stated.
