India said on Saturday it would continue engaging with the United States to conclude a bilateral trade agreement, after Washington imposed a 10% tariff on imports from the South Asian nation under new trade measures. The Trump administration on Friday unveiled fresh duties of between 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including India, alleging those countries had failed to curb imports made with forced labor. The fresh duty on India is lower than the 12.5% tariff proposed in June and excludes products such as generic pharmaceuticals, smartphones, steel, aluminium and auto parts, India's commerce ministry said in a statement. India remains engaged with the United States and would continue discussions on sector-specific issues, including textiles, as part of negotiations on a bilateral trade pact, the statement said. The two countries have been negotiating a trade agreement since last year as they seek to deepen economic ties and resolve long-standing market access issues. "The government remains committed to working with the United States towards the early conclusion of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement," the ministry said. It said about 45% of India's exports to the United States would remain outside the scope of the fresh tariff because of product exemptions, while the remaining 55% would face the new 10% duty. The fresh levy applies on top of standard US most-favored-nation tariffs. Reuters reported on Friday that Indian textile and apparel exporters are likely to be at a disadvantage against several Asian rivals under the new tariff regime.
