US Pressures India To Grant Full Market Access To Amazon, Walmart Amid Trade Talks: Report
US: The Trump administration is reportedly pushing India to grant full market access to American e-commerce giants Amazon and Walmart, as part of ongoing negotiations for a broad US-India trade agreement.
The talks are expected to cover a wide range of sectors, including food, automobiles, and digital trade, reported the Financial Times on Tuesday, citing industry executives, lobbyists, and US officials.
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A key demand from the United States is a level playing field for foreign e-commerce platforms, which currently face tighter restrictions than their Indian counterparts.
At present, Amazon and Walmart (via Flipkart) operate in India through local subsidiaries but are barred from holding inventory or directly selling goods to customers – limitations that do not apply to Indian firms like Reliance Retail.
Reliance, backed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is allowed to open physical stores and leverage its extensive brick-and-mortar network for e-commerce operations.
The report did not specify what exact policy changes the US expects India to implement, but officials familiar with the discussions suggested Washington is aiming to reduce restrictions that limit the growth of US companies in India’s $125 billion e-commerce market.
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The negotiations also coincide with wider trade discussions aimed at averting US tariffs on Indian exports. The US recently announced a 90-day pause on tariff hikes for major trade partners, offering a narrow window for both nations to finalise an agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss trade and strategic cooperation. New Delhi is optimistic about clinching a deal within the 90-day period, as it looks to solidify its trade relations with Washington amid global economic uncertainty.
