Washington DC, Feb. 3 -- Former Assistant US Trade Representative Mark Linscott on Monday (local time) welcomed the India-US trade deal, in which Washington reduced the tariffs on India to 18 per cent, saying that the agreement will help cement efforts by both countries to come closer economically.

Speaking to ANI following the announcement, Linscott said that his immediate response was one of relief and optimism.

"My first reaction was--'Wow! It's finally here'. It's taken too long, and I am glad we have got an announcement of a deal," he said.

Linscott noted that trade negotiators on both sides had been working towards an agreement for a long time and appeared close as early as July last year, before talks stalled, adding that it bec...