In recent trade negotiations held in Washington, US trade representative Jamieson Greer remarked that India is a 'tough nut to crack' due to its longstanding protection of agricultural markets. The discussions, which involved a 12-member Indian delegation led by Darpan Jain, focused on finalizing a formal trade agreement that seeks to address tariff disputes and expand market access for products like distillers dried grains (DDGs), soybean meal, and ethanol. Greer noted that while India is protective of its agricultural sector, there are areas where mutual agreement can be reached. The negotiations are part of a broader effort to establish a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, with a target of achieving bilateral trade worth USD 500 billion by 2030. The US has committed to reducing tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, and has already removed a 25% tariff on Indian goods related to Russian oil purchases. The ongoing discussions reflect the commitment of both countries to strengthen their trade relationship.