7 months ago
US Senators Push for India Trade Deal
Some important people in the US government wrote a letter to President Trump.
They want him to talk to India about making it easier for American farmers to sell their crops, like peas and lentils, to India.
India is a big buyer of these crops, but they have high taxes on them, which makes it hard for American farmers to compete.
The letter says that American farmers can help supply more food to India if the taxes are lowered.
There have been some disagreements between the US and India about this, and the letter is trying to make things better for American farmers.
India has also reduced its investments in US Treasury bonds, which is a big change.
Both countries are still talking about a trade deal, but they haven't agreed on everything yet.
Republican Senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines urged President Trump to push for favorable pulse crop provisions in a US-India trade deal.
India is the world's largest consumer of pulses, accounting for 27% of global consumption.
India imposed a 30% tariff on yellow peas effective November 1, 2025, disadvantageing US producers.
The US has been pressing for expanded access to India's farm market, while India remains protective of its agricultural sector.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed the trade deal couldn't be signed in 2025 due to a lack of call from Prime Minister Modi, a claim India rejected.
- Who
- Republican Senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines, President Donald Trump, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Republican Senators urged President Trump to push for favorable crop pulse provisions in a US-India trade deal
- Where
- United States and India
- When
- The letter was written on January 16, with references to events in 2020 and 2025
- Why
- To secure better market access for US pulse crops in India and address trade imbalances
Key facts
- Senators Involved
- Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines
- States Represented
- North Dakota and Montana
- India's Pulse Consumption
- 27% of global consumption
- Indian Tariff on Yellow Peas
- 30% (effective November 1, 2025)
- US Tariffs on Indian Goods
- 50% (imposed in 2025)
- India's Agricultural Workforce
- 40-45% of workforce
- US Commerce Secretary's Claim
- Trade deal couldn't be signed in 2025 due to lack of call from PM Modi
- US-India Bilateral Trade Growth
- 22% year-on-year rise reported in November 2025
- India's US Treasury Bonds Holding Reduction
- Over 50.7 billion USD
Timeline
US slaps tariffs on Indian goods as talks stall.
Copper among targeted items.
Dispute erupts over US tariffs on Indian copper.
Republican senators urge Trump: negotiate lower Indian crop taxes.
Push to boost US farm exports via India talks.
Quotes
Senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines
US Senators from North Dakota and Montana, respectively.
“India, being the largest consumer of these crops, with around 27 per cent of the world's consumption, can be advantageous for the American farmers by exporting these commodities and can boost trade disparities with the US.”
wionews.com
“As a result of the unfair Indian tariffs, US pulse crop producers could face a significant competitive disadvantage when exporting their high-quality product to India.”
wionews.com
Sources
India slapped 30% tariff on US pulse crops, North Dakota and Montana senators request Trump to talk to PM Modi and help US farmers
US lawmakers urge Donald Trump to seek lower Indian tariffs on pulse crops - Telegraph India
US lawmakers urge Trump to seek lower Indian tariffs on pulse crops in trade talks
'Push for favourable crop provisions': Republican Senators to Trump on US India trade deal
US Senators Urge Donald Trump to Secure Favorable Pulse Crop Provisions in India US Trade Deal Amid Tariff Disputes
American Senators Write To Trump, Seek Tariff Relief For Exports Of US Pulses To India
Did India Quietly Slap 30% Tariffs on Pulses After Trump’s Moves? US Lawmakers Urge Relief in Trade Talks
US Lawmakers Urge Trump To Seek Lower Indian Tariffs On Pulse Crops
US senators from top pulse-producing states urge Trump intervention to reduce India tariffs
India-US trade deal: American senators write to Trump, urge him to press Modi on lowering tariffs on pulses
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