United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Deputy United States Trade Representative Ambassador Sarah Bianchi will arrive in New Delhi, on November 22. They will meet with government officials and stakeholders to discuss U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and to strengthen trade and economic relationships. This will be Tai’s first official visit to India during which the two countries intend to re-start the Trade Policy Forum – a dialogue to progress trade ties.
A joint statement following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in October said the two countries “looked forward to reconvening the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum before the end of 2021, to enhance the bilateral trade relationship by addressing trade concerns, identifying specific areas for increased engagement and developing an ambitious, shared vision for the future of the trade relationship.”
Enhancing global access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, via a waiver of intellectual property rights at the World Trade Organization (WTO), is expected to come up during Ms. Tai’s visit. The WTO proposal, introduced by India and South Africa, has the support of the Biden administration.
Key bilateral trade issues including the ones related to intellectual property rights are expected to be taken up. The Biden administration has signaled that it will focus on labor and environmental standards in its trade policy.
Key bilateral trade issues including the ones related to intellectual property rights are expected to be taken up. The Biden administration has signaled that it will focus on labor and environmental standards in its trade policy.
The U.S. is not looking for “new trade agreements” but India and the U.S. will work on “market access issues,” India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said in August.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
