The US will raise concerns with India over proposed restrictions on American soda ash imports during ongoing bilateral trade talks. USTR Jamieson Greer reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to ensuring fair market access while advancing broader India-US trade negotiations and strengthening economic cooperation.
The United States has announced that it will raise concerns with the Indian government over proposed restrictions on imports of American soda ash, adding another important issue to the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between the two countries. The development highlights Washington’s commitment to ensuring fair market access for American exporters while maintaining the momentum of broader India-US trade discussions aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
The assurance came from United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer during a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on President Donald Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda. Greer said the issue would be directly discussed with Indian officials during upcoming engagements, emphasizing that the United States expects India’s trade remedy processes to remain transparent and fair.
“I have a good relationship with my counterpart in India, and we work closely with their trade ministry,” Greer told lawmakers, noting the close communication between both governments on trade matters. He added that Washington would raise the soda ash issue during his next interaction with Indian trade officials.
The matter was brought before the committee by Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, who urged the Trump administration to protect the interests of American soda ash producers. Barrasso expressed concern that Indian manufacturers had petitioned their government to impose restrictions on imports of soda ash from the United States.
Wyoming is home to the world’s largest natural deposits of trona, the primary raw material used in the production of natural soda ash. The state is a major global supplier of the industrial mineral, which is widely used in manufacturing glass, detergents, chemicals, paper products and several other industrial applications.
Barrasso argued that American producers are globally competitive and should not face unnecessary trade barriers. He stressed that Wyoming’s soda ash industry can successfully compete in international markets under fair trading conditions and urged the administration to ensure equal treatment for US exports.
Responding to the concerns, Greer acknowledged that India has its own internal trade remedy mechanisms, similar to those followed by the United States. However, he emphasized that the US government wants to ensure that any investigation or policy decision undertaken by India is conducted fairly and results in equitable treatment for American companies.
The discussion on soda ash emerged during a Senate hearing largely focused on President Trump’s trade agenda, including tariff policies, international trade negotiations and efforts to reduce America’s dependence on Chinese imports. Despite the broader agenda, India featured prominently as lawmakers discussed expanding bilateral trade relations and addressing market access issues.
Greer reiterated that he remains in regular contact with India’s trade leadership as negotiations continue on a comprehensive bilateral trade arrangement. According to him, the two countries are maintaining active engagement through multiple rounds of discussions covering agriculture, industrial goods, manufacturing, digital trade and other sectors.
The broader trade agreement under negotiation seeks to expand market access, reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries. Officials from India and the United States have been working to strengthen commercial ties while addressing sector-specific concerns through continuous dialogue.
During the hearing, Greer also defended the Trump administration’s overall trade policy. He stated that the administration had concluded 19 framework or reciprocal trade agreements covering nearly 32 percent of global gross domestic product. He argued that these agreements were helping reshape international trade patterns while reducing reliance on China.
According to Greer, the United States’ goods trade deficit with China declined to approximately $200 billion in 2025, the lowest level since 2005. He also noted that China’s share of total US imports had fallen to about nine percent, marking its lowest level since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Democratic lawmakers questioned the administration’s continued reliance on tariffs, arguing that they had increased costs for consumers and businesses. Greer rejected those criticisms, maintaining that the administration’s trade policies had strengthened American manufacturing, supported higher wages and expanded exports.
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Trade remains a central pillar of the growing India-US strategic partnership. The United States is India’s largest trading partner, with annual bilateral goods and services trade exceeding $190 billion. Alongside trade, both countries continue to deepen cooperation in defence, advanced technologies, resilient supply chains and the Indo-Pacific region. The upcoming discussions on the soda ash issue are expected to form part of this broader economic engagement as both governments work toward expanding commercial cooperation while resolving outstanding trade concerns.
