Piyush Goyal calls export councils meet following US, EU trade developments

10 Feb 2026 Evaluate

After India clinch deals with the United States (US) and European Union (EU) bloc, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold a meeting with representatives of export promotion councils and industry associations on February 11. The meeting assumes significance as India and the US have finalised a framework for signing the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement. 

Indian exporters were keenly waiting for this deal as the US is the largest export destination for several labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and footwear and gems and jewellery. The steep 50 per cent tariffs were hurting India’s exports to America. Under this, the US has agreed to reduce the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent. It has already eliminated the punitive 25 per cent tariffs on India, which was imposed in August last year for purchasing Russian crude. Earlier, Goyal had said the interim pact will open a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters.

Moreover, India has last month the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the 27-nation EU bloc. India’s pact with the EU will be the biggest, as the bloc comprises 27 developed countries. The EU bloc includes France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Denmark and Sweden.


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