Despite repeated assurances from US President Donald Trump that a deal is “close”, unresolved issues, particularly concerning agriculture and automobiles, are preventing a final agreement.

India and the United States have concluded their fifth round of talks for the proposed bilateral trade agreement in Washington. The negotiations focused on agriculture, automobiles, and duty concessions.

On July 7, Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, effective August 1. He also announced separate rates for a number of other countries. On Tuesday, he said letters would be going out soon to dozens of smaller countries notifying them their goods would face a tariff rate of over 10%.