Trump Optimistic on India-US Trade Deal, Praises PM Modi

• US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in future India-US trade ties and a bilateral trade deal, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "fantastic man and a friend."
• Trump's comments to Moneycontrol followed his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the World Economic Forum, amidst ongoing high-stakes trade negotiations.
• India and the US aim for a "Mission 500" goal to double two-way trade to $500 billion by 2030, with discussions for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) gaining momentum.
• Despite a slipped timeline for a formal BTA, an interim trade pact could be finalized by March 2026, addressing issues like tariffs and market access.
• Indian exports worth $48.2 billion face elevated US tariffs, making a trade deal urgent for New Delhi to maintain export growth, especially in tariff-free electronics shipments.

Why It Matters: Donald Trump expresses strong optimism for a future India-US trade deal, highlighting mutual respect and economic goals.