What is Trump's staircase model that's delaying India-US trade deal?

The "staircase" approach to trade deals, according to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, rewards quick action and penalises delays, and creates urgency among negotiating partners. The first country to finalise a deal gets the most favourable terms. Each subsequent agreement builds on the previous one, like steps on a staircase, with higher demands or tougher conditions.