India-US Trade Deal: Piyush Goyal Jokes About “18% Loss” While Discussing Trade and Cricket

New Delhi: A light-hearted moment stole the show at a reception hosted by US Ambassador Sergio Gor in the national capital, where Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with several dignitaries, were present. During the event, Goyal humorously linked the recent India-US trade deal with the US cricket team’s performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

A Blend of Trade and Cricket

Addressing the gathering, Goyal joked that had the US reduced its retaliatory tariffs to zero, it might have “won the match” against India. The comment drew laughter and applause from the audience.

The event followed last week’s announcement of an interim India-US trade framework, highlighting shared interests and deepening bilateral ties. Goyal acknowledged the US cricket team’s efforts, saying, “Cricket is relatively new for the US. Even though they didn’t win the match against India yesterday, the team’s performance was commendable for a country that started playing the game only a few years ago.”

“America Lost by 18%”

Continuing his humorous take, Goyal said, “Ambassador Sergio was enjoying the match and shared an interesting factor—the US lost by 18%. I jokingly suggested that if they had reduced retaliatory tariffs to zero, maybe they could have won.” The remark received hearty laughter from the attendees, and Goyal praised the US team for their impressive showing.

US Ambassador’s Remarks

Ambassador Gor highlighted the importance of the India-US relationship, stating, “The White House is focused on India. Thanks to the friendship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, we were able to move forward on the trade deal.” Under the new interim framework, India has reduced tariffs on US goods, while the US has cut tariffs on Indian products to 18% from the earlier 50%.

The reception showcased the combination of diplomacy, trade, and a touch of cricket humor, leaving the audience both informed and entertained.