India-EU Trade Deal Nears Completion Amid US Uncertainty

• India and the EU are close to finalizing a major trade agreement, with consensus reached on 20 of 24 chapters.
• The deal aims to be sealed before EU leaders visit India for Republic Day and the 16th India-EU Summit.
• Sensitive agricultural issues have been excluded from the agreement, addressing a major hurdle in trade negotiations.
• Key challenges remain, including carbon tax, whisky, and automobile sector access, with Germany seeking greater market entry.
• The deal could mitigate the impact of US tariffs and open new opportunities for India's labor-intensive products in the EU market.

Why It Matters: India and the EU are rapidly progressing towards a significant trade deal, offering new economic opportunities.