The British government wants to “accelerate” the signing of trade agreements in a “changing world”, and is mainly characterized by the increase in US customs duties, Finance Minister Rachel Rives said today on the occasion of the visit of its Indian counterpart.

“This government accelerates trade agreements with the rest of the world to support British businesses and guarantee workers’ security”Reeves stressed in her statements sent to the French Agency.

Reeves today met her Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sathaman, for the 13th economic and financial dialogue between the two countries, as the US is currently imposing a new duty package on imports today.

In London, a 10%reciprocal duties were imposed in London last week, the lowest level announced by Donald Trump, compared to the European Union (20%) but in the automotive, steel and aluminum, special taxes were imposed 25%.

The British government has been intensely negotiate with the Americans for weeks trying to reach an agreement that could completely or in part abolish these duties.

London wants to “create the best possible conditions for British businesses and is working to limit trade barriers,” Ribs said, adding that the meeting with its Indian counterpart was today in the context of discussions on the “conclusion of a new trade agreement”.

At the end of the meeting, the two countries had not yet come to an end: they have currently signed a “joint statement” that encourages “cooperation in a series of sectors of activity”, mainly defense, financial services, education, according to a London announcement.

On the sidelines of official talks, the British government welcomed the new announcements of exports and investments by companies from two countries of 128 million pounds (EUR 148 million), which are added to other recent investments of 271 million euros (EUR 313 million).

Among them: an investment in Britain in PayTM, the largest application of India’s digital payments or the expansion of British banks such as Barclays and HSBC to the Asian country, the London statement said in detail.

The British government began again in February negotiations delaying a commercial deal after Brexit with India, with a meeting at New Delhi of British Commerce Minister Jonathan Reynolds and Pigio Goyal’s Indus bond.

“We continue to negotiate on an ambitious trade agreement,” Reynolds said today, according to the government’s statement.

Following Brexit, London concluded trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and officially joined December to the Pacific Country agreement (CPTPP), which now has 12 members.

However, trade negotiations with India are delayed and were interrupted last year when the two countries organized parliamentary elections.

According to the British press, the friction points between the two countries mainly concerned the high duties in India for Scottish whiskey and applications to facilitate the process of entry visas for the Indians who go to the United Kingdom.