India-US trade deal won't harm farmers, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan affirmed the India-US trade deal safeguards Indian farmers. Key crops, dairy, and spices are excluded from US imports, while the US has cut tariffs on many Indian farm exports to zero, boosting trade.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that the framework for the trade agreement with the United States will not harm Indian farmers, and that the US has infact reduced tariffs on several Indian farm exports to zero. He said that Indian farmers' interests have been fully protected in the trade deal with the US, adding that no key crops, fruits, dairy products or spices have been opened to American imports. The India-US trade deal reduces tariffs on Indian goods in the US to 18 per cent, while Washington has claimed the deal will help it export more agricultural products to New Delhi.

'No Harm to Indian Farmers'

Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Chouhan said, "PM Modi said that he will not let the country bow down and will not allow any harm to the interests of the farmers. This trade deal has taken both of these into account... If we look at agriculture and agricultural products, no product has been included to harm Indian farmers. All such products have been excluded from the trade deal."

Key Agricultural Products Excluded

"There is no tariff concession on products like soybeans, corn, rice, wheat, sugar, grains, poultry, dairy, bananas, strawberries, cherries, sour fruits, green peas, Kabuli chana, moong, tilhan, ethanol, tobacco... No door has been opened to America for our main crops, fruits, and dairy production... No liquid, powder, cream, yoghurt, buttermilk, butter, ghee, butter oil, paneer, or cheese will be imported to India.... Our spices are safe. Many agricultural products from India will be exported to the US at zero duty. But American agricultural products have not been given this exemption in the Indian market," he said.

Boost for Indian Exports

Chouhan said that the US has cut tariffs on several Indian agricultural products from 50 per cent to zero, boosting exports, while India has not given similar concessions to American farm products. "The US has reduced tariffs on several agricultural products from 50% to 0%... Our spice exports have increased by 88%... We have exported spices and spice products to 200 countries worldwide... Our farmers have received complete tariff exemption... In textiles, our tariff is significantly lower than that of our competitor countries, at 18%... The lives of women in self-help groups will also be enriched by this agreement," he said.

Future Agreements and National Vision

He said, "So far, under PM Modi's leadership, nine FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) have been signed, in addition to the one with America... Discussions are underway with other countries also... These agreements and understandings will serve as milestones in building a 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047 and a self-reliant India."

Subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, the US will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners Annex to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements), as amended, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts. (ANI)

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