PTI New Delhi

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead a team of senior Indian officials to Washington starting May 17 for discussions with their US counterparts on the proposed BTA, an official said on Tuesday. During the visit, Goyal will hold meetings with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the agreement.

The four-day talks (May 17-20) come against the backdrop of both countries exploring the possibility of an interim trade arrangement in goods to secure "early mutual wins" ahead of finalising the first phase of the trade agreement by fall (September-October) this year.  The official said the chief negotiators of both countries will hold meetings from May 19-22. Goyal will reach Washington on May 16. 

The main issues that will figure in the negotiations include market access, rules of origin, and non-tariff barriers. India's proposal to impose retaliatory duty on certain US products over American tariffs on steel and aluminium would also figure in the BTA deliberations.