内容摘要："Because the relations are more than just two presidents," he said, adding that it was also about "strong relations between our two people."

"Because the relations are more than just two presidents," he said, adding that it was also about "strong relations between our two people."

Trump has said he is planning to hit goods made in the European Union with tariffs of 25%, claiming the bloc was created to "screw the US".The European Union said it would react "firmly and immediately against unjustified tariffs".

Given the backdrop, analysts say strong trade and security relations with India have become more important than ever for the EU.A trade deal has proven difficult so far due to differences in areas like agriculture and manufacturing.Despite renewed negotiations "the two sides have little to show for the talks thus far", Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank, said in a note.

However, some 6,000 EU companies operate in India and the bloc is India's largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade reaching $135bn (£107bn) in 2022-23, nearly doubling in the last decade.After years of scepticism about free trade deals, India is now actively signing agreements and negotiating with multiple countries and blocs.

India and the UK restarted free trade talks

, nearly a year after negotiations were paused ahead of general elections in both countries.Card payments dominate ways of paying, and consumers are increasingly using their smartphones to pay for things.

However, notes and coins were used in a fifth of shop transactions last year, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), as shoppers found cash helped them to budget better.It was the second year in a row that cash use in shops had risen following a decade of falls.

Recommendations will be made in the coming weeks from the Treasury Committee after its inquiry into the acceptance of cash.Ms Reynolds' evidence was the final session, but earlier they heard from disadvantaged people who still rely on paying with cash.