New Delhi, July 14 (KNN) India should remain steadfast and avoid compromising its core sectors—particularly agriculture—amid intensifying pressure from the United States for a trade agreement, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report cautioned against making hasty commitments under duress, noting that any agreement reached during the current US administration may prove unsustainable in the event of political change in the US. “India should stay the course and avoid trading away core sectors like agriculture. A hasty deal under pressure could have irreversible consequences, especially when such agreements may not survive the next shift in US politics,” the report stated. GTRI described the US’s approach, particularly under President Donald Trump, as marked by coercive tactics aimed at securing unilateral trade concessions. The report labelled such deals as ‘MASALA’ agreements—Mutually Agreed Settlements Achieved through Leveraged Arm-twisting. These typically involve tariff cuts by partner countries without reciprocal US concessions, mandated purchases of American goods, and the possibility of additional tariffs being imposed even after deals are signed. So far, only the United Kingdom and Vietnam have reportedly accepted US demands, while other key economies—including Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and Australia—have resisted. In response, the US has escalated trade tensions. On July 7, it imposed 25 percent tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, followed by threats of 30 percent tariffs on products from the EU and Mexico on July 12, despite ongoing negotiations. GTRI urged India to recognise that it is not alone in facing such pressure. The US is currently engaged in trade talks with over 20 countries and seeking concessions from more than 90. According to the report, many of these countries are pushing back, acknowledging that the demands are largely politically driven and provide little long-term certainty in the international trade system. The report concludes by advising caution, stressing that India's long-term economic interests must not be undermined by short-term geopolitical pressures.