'Washington Has Stopped Signing Free Trade Agreements' || The Gist

The Quad is becoming more effective because it is concentrating on a small set of strategic priorities rather than expanding into multiple areas, according to former Indian diplomat Mohan Kumar. Speaking to StratNews Global, Kumar said the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on May 26 demonstrated a clear effort by India, the United States, Japan and Australia to focus on maritime security, economic security, humanitarian response and critical minerals. A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to strengthen cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration. Kumar described the move from maritime domain awareness to coordinated maritime surveillance as a significant step forward for the grouping. He also suggested that concerns over delays in a Quad leaders' summit are overstated. According to Kumar, the grouping can continue delivering results through practical cooperation even when leaders are unable to meet. On trade, Kumar argued that India and the United States are unlikely to sign a traditional Free Trade Agreement. A former WTO negotiator, he said the US political process makes such agreements difficult because they require congressional approval. Instead, both countries are pursuing a Bilateral Trade Agreement, which Kumar believes is a more realistic pathway. He added that India remains comfortable with current tariff arrangements but cautioned that additional duties arising from ongoing US trade investigations could affect the competitiveness of Indian exports. Overall, Kumar sees both the Quad and India-US economic engagement moving towards more focused, practical and achievable objectives. #india #usa #unitedstates #trade #tradedeal #fta #business #newdelhi #washington #quad #geopolitics #worldnews =================================================================== Footage used in the video is also sourced from Reuters under our active subscription (Client No. S-88259) Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @stratnewsglobal   Join StratNews Global's WhatsApp Channel to get the latest updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb1W... Join Nitin Gokhale's Strategic Group WhatsApp Channel to get the latest updates from articles on our website and videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029... Since many of our well-wishers requested a UPI payment id to contribute and support us, here’s the link, which gives us 100% of what you choose: https://stratnewsglobal.com/support-us/ You can also click and buy a YouTube Super Thanks(the heart icon where you liked this video), which directly supports StratNewsGlobal, with 70% of your chosen amount. Leave your comments, questions, and feedback. Like and share our videos. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Click on the 🔔icon to get notified of our latest uploads. To get instant updates join our telegram circle - https://t.me/stratnewsglobalbroadcast    / @sng_news   For latest global news and quick, to the point analysis of developments around the globe.    / @stratnewsglobal_tech   For the latest news and developments on space, science & technology.