Bessant said that India is likely to be one of the first countries to reach a trade agreement.

US Treasury Secretary Bezent said on Monday that many of America's key trading partners have proposed "very good" suggestions to avoid US tariffs, and India is likely to be one of the first countries to sign a trade agreement with the US. Bezent told reporters after a TV interview that the first such trade agreement could be reached this week or next, but did not reveal more details. Bezent said President Trump will be "closely involved" in each custom trade agreement reached with 15 to 18 key trading partners, but reaching principles agreements as soon as possible is essential. Bezent said: "I guess India will be one of the first trade agreements we sign." He also added that the US has had very substantive negotiations with Japan and discussions with other Asian trading partners are progressing smoothly.