The update came even as the POTUS readied tariff letters for 12 unnamed countries and Union Minister Piyush Goyal insisted that India 'does not negotiate under deadlines'.

The tariffs were initially set on 2 April but later suspended. If no progress is made, these countries could face the same tariff levels again starting 1 August.

European Union negotiators have failed so far to achieve a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the Trump administration and may now seek to extend the status quo to avoid tariff hikes, five EU diplomats briefed on the talks said on Friday.