How Sergio Gor, Trump’s main man in Delhi, powered the India-US trade deal
At 9.16 pm local time, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor wrote on X, “President Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. Stay tuned.”
Over an hour later, the US envoy once again took to the social media site, posting: “As I have said many times, President Trump genuinely considers Prime Minister Modi a great friend! Thrilled by the news of the trade deal this evening. The relationship between the United States and India has limitless potential!”
The second post followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he agreed to a trade deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which the US will lower tariffs on goods from India to 18 per cent.
In the subsequent hours, Gor, Trump’s trusted man, provided more details on the India-US trade deal, confirming that the punitive 25 per cent duty levied on India for its purchase of Russian oil would no longer apply.
Speaking to CNN-News18 first, Gor said, “All the credit goes to President Trump and PM Modi. The two leaders have a great personal relationship, which has carried the deal forward. The number that will be finalised will be 18 per cent.”
For many, the timing of the deal — it came after Gor arrived in New Delhi — is a sign of the envoy’s continuous efforts to accelerate negotiations, making him the “biggest difference”.
