The EU wants to step up negotiations on a trade deal with India, especially now that protectionist US President Donald Trump is back in the White House – even though New Delhi is known to be a difficult negotiating partner.
Von der Leyen’s announcement follows a positive visit to Belgium by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, during which he met European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. THE next round of negotiations on a free trade agreement is scheduled for March 10 to 14 in Brussels.
World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was also present at the talks, hinting that discussions would also have focused on reviving stalled negotiations on reforms to the global trade body.
Trump’s re-election prompted von der Leyen to act on trade: she reached a long-awaited deal with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries in December; the EU revised its trade deal with Mexico last week; and Monday relaunch of trade negotiations with Malaysia after a hiatus of more than a decade.
This story has been updated.
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