The U.S. government is pushing India to allow global e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart complete access to its growing $125 billion online market, according to a report by the Financial Times. This push is part of ongoing trade talks aimed at securing a broader U.S.-India trade deal that could address various sectors, from food to automobiles, industry executives, lobbyists, and U.S. government officials told the paper.
At the heart of the negotiations is the issue of a “level playing field” for online retailers. While Amazon and Walmart operate in India through local subsidiaries, they face restrictions that domestic players like Reliance do not. These restrictions prevent them from holding inventory or selling directly to consumers, while Reliance enjoys the advantage of opening physical stores and utilizing its extensive retail network to reach customers across the country.
As the U.S. presses India for more market access, details on the specific actions the Trump administration expects from the Indian government remain unclear.
Both Amazon and Walmart have yet to respond to requests for comment.
This development comes amid India’s efforts to secure a trade deal with the U.S. that would help avoid potential tariffs. On Monday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with officials in New Delhi hopeful that an agreement will be reached before the 90-day tariff pause announced by President Trump on April 9 expires.
