Highlights:
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US lawmakers say Indian tariffs disadvantage American pulse farmers
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India accounts for about 27 percent of global pulse consumption
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Senators point to a 30 percent tariff on yellow peas imposed by India
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Pulse crops are central to farm economies in Montana and North Dakota
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Lawmakers want pulse crops prioritized in any future US–India trade deal
Two US lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump to press India to reduce tariffs on pulse crops in any future trade negotiations, arguing that current duties significantly disadvantage American farmers in one of the world’s largest and most important agricultural markets.
In a letter dated Friday (16), Republican Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota called on Trump to make market access for US pulse crops a priority in discussions with India. Both senators represent the top two pulse-producing states in the United States, where crops such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas are a major source of farm income and rural employment.
The lawmakers said that while India represents a natural export destination for US producers, high tariffs imposed by New Delhi continue to limit trade and undermine competitiveness for American farmers.
Trump Urged by Lawmakers to Address India’s Pulse Tariffs
The senators stressed that India is the world’s largest consumer of pulse crops, accounting for roughly 27 percent of global consumption. Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas are a staple in the Indian diet, making India a critical market for global suppliers.
Despite this demand, the lawmakers said Indian trade policies have restricted US access. In their letter to Trump, they highlighted India’s decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on yellow peas, announced on October 30 last year and effective from November 1, 2025.
According to the senators, such tariff levels have made it increasingly difficult for US producers to compete in India, even though the United States is a large-scale and reliable supplier of high-quality pulse crops.
“As a result of the unfair Indian tariffs, US pulse crop producers face a significant competitive disadvantage when exporting their high-quality product to India,” the lawmakers wrote.
Trump and the Impact on US Farmers
The senators emphasized that pulse crops are essential to agricultural economies in states like Montana and North Dakota. Farmers in these regions depend heavily on export markets, and limited access to India has had direct economic consequences.
They argued that lowering tariffs would not only support American producers but also contribute to broader trade balance goals that Trump has repeatedly emphasized. The lawmakers said reducing trade barriers would allow US farmers to compete on a more level playing field and expand their role in meeting global food demand.
They also noted that American pulse producers have the capacity and infrastructure to scale exports if market conditions improve.
Trump, India, and Economic Cooperation
Beyond benefits for US farmers, the senators said easing tariffs on pulse crops could also benefit Indian consumers. Increased imports, they argued, could help stabilize domestic supply and prices in India, particularly during periods of production shortfall.
Daines and Cramer described engagement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue as “mutually beneficial” and aligned with broader efforts to strengthen US–India economic ties.
They said cooperation on agriculture could serve as a practical area of progress in the bilateral relationship, particularly as both countries look to deepen trade and strategic cooperation.
Trump’s First Term and Earlier Trade Efforts
The lawmakers also referred to similar efforts during Trump’s first term in office. Ahead of the 2020 US–India trade negotiations, Daines and Cramer raised concerns about Indian tariffs on pulse crops and urged action.
They noted that Trump had personally delivered their earlier letter to Prime Minister Modi, a step they said helped ensure that the interests of US pulse producers were included in trade discussions at the time.
While those talks did not lead to a comprehensive agreement, the senators said the issue remains unresolved and should be revisited in future negotiations.
Trump and the Role of Tariffs After GSP Removal
In their letter, the senators also pointed to changes following India’s removal from the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in June 2019. They said that after India lost GSP benefits, tariffs on American agricultural exports increased, further restricting access to the Indian market.
As the US seeks to rebalance trade relationships and address long-standing disparities, the lawmakers said agriculture, including pulse crops, should be a key focus area.
Referring again to Trump’s stated commitment to supporting US farmers, particularly in rural states, Daines and Cramer said they hope pulse crops will be explicitly prioritized as trade talks with India move forward.
They concluded that reducing Indian tariffs would allow American farmers to expand exports, strengthen farm incomes, and play a larger role in global food supply, while also reinforcing economic cooperation between the United States and India under Trump’s leadership.
