WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — The United States and India are meeting this week to finalize details of an interim trade agreement and continue broader bilateral trade negotiations.
India’s Commerce Ministry says the talks build on a February framework reaffirming both countries’ commitment to pursuing a larger trade deal.
The U.S. chief negotiator is meeting with his Indian counterpart through Thursday.
The meetings follow Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit, where India signaled plans to purchase $500 billion in U.S. goods over the next five years.
Negotiators are focusing on market access, tariffs, investment and economic security.
Meanwhile, India’s rice exports are slipping as conflict in the Middle East disrupts shipments of premium basmati rice to Gulf nations.
Reuters reports exports fell more than one percent during the first quarter, while basmati shipments declined seven percent.
Exporters say cargo delays, rising freight costs and instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are slowing trade with major Middle East buyers.
India remains the world’s top rice exporter, supplying more than 40 percent of global demand.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
January 30, 2026 01:13 PM
·
The changing political climate in America is leading to a drop in migrant crossings near the U.S.-Mexico border, where ranchers like Dr. Mike Vickers say they witnessed horrors from death to child trafficking.
January 30, 2026 11:47 AM
·
STRAUSS CEO Henning Strauss joined us with a preview of “Meet Strauss: The Tool You Wear,” premiering live tonight at 7:30 ET — only on RFD Network and RFD+
January 28, 2026 05:01 PM
·
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined us with a recap of the Malaysia trade mission and a look at USDA’s broader trade strategy moving forward.
January 28, 2026 01:49 PM
·
Corn and soybean exports continue to anchor weekly inspection totals, with China maintaining a visible role, while wheat and sorghum remain more dependent on regional and seasonal demand shifts.
January 27, 2026 03:08 PM
·
Rail continues to carry a larger share of the grain load, increasing sensitivity to rail capacity, labor, and pricing conditions.
January 27, 2026 11:55 AM
·
