US Agriculture Secretary Applauds India-US Trade Agreement as Major Win for American Farmers
In a significant development for international trade, US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for what she termed as 'delivering' a crucial victory for American farmers through the newly announced India-US trade deal. This agreement, Rollins emphasized in a post on social media platform X, is poised to enhance the export of American agricultural products to India's vast and growing market, thereby elevating prices and injecting much-needed capital into rural communities across the United States.
Key Provisions and Economic Impact of the Trade Deal
The remarks from Secretary Rollins followed an official announcement by President Trump, who confirmed on Monday night (IST) that a mutual agreement had been reached with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this pact, the United States will reduce tariffs on goods imported from India, lowering them to 18% from the previous rate of 25%. This tariff adjustment is expected to facilitate smoother trade relations and boost bilateral economic engagement between the two nations.
Highlighting the strategic importance of this deal, Rollins pointed out that in 2024, America faced an agricultural trade deficit with India amounting to $1.3 billion. She underscored that India's expanding population represents a critical market for American farm products, and the newly forged agreement is anticipated to significantly narrow this deficit. In her social media post, she celebrated this as an 'America First victory,' adding to what she described as dozens of other favorable deals for the agricultural sector.
Broader Implications and International Context
In a separate statement on Truth Social, President Trump elaborated on additional aspects of the deal, noting that India has committed to reducing trade barriers to zero and will cease purchasing Russian oil. Consequently, the United States will withdraw an additional 25% tariff penalty that had been imposed on India for its continued oil imports from Russia. This move is seen as a pivotal step in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, with the potential to substantially reduce America's agricultural trade imbalance with India.
This landmark announcement arrives shortly after India and the European Union concluded a historic trade agreement, marking the culmination of nearly twenty years of intermittent negotiations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media platform X to express his delight over reaching an agreement with the United States, signaling a positive stride in international trade collaborations.
The India-US trade deal is thus positioned as a transformative arrangement that not only benefits American farmers but also fosters a more balanced and prosperous trade relationship between the two global powers.
