New Delhi: The United States will prioritise its national interest in any trade agreement with India and will not repeat what it calls past mistakes made with China, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, Landau described the decision to open the US market to China about two decades ago as a “major mistake”. He said India should understand that Washington will not make the same error again.
Landau added that any agreement would be framed with the welfare of the American people as the primary consideration. He also remarked that the US would not allow India to become a competitor “like China”.
At the same time, he said an “America First” approach does not mean the US will act alone, and that working with other countries is necessary to achieve its goals. He noted that national interest is a common principle for all nations.
On the status of talks, Landau said discussions on the trade agreement have reached the final stage and that the deal is expected to be signed soon.
