U.S. and India Seal Interim Trade Framework on February 8, 2026 to Cut Tariffs and Reset Relations

On February 8, 2026, the United States and India agreed on an interim trade framework that reduces U.S. tariffs on Indian exports from punitive levels of up to 50 per cent down to 18 per cent. In exchange, India will scale back or remove duties on a broad set of U.S. industrial and agricultural products, opening new opportunities but also drawing criticism from Indian farmer groups and opposition parties. The arrangement, shaped in part by New Delhi's decision to halt Russian oil imports, is framed by both governments as a step toward a more comprehensive trade pact.