US Senators Press Trump on Pulse Crop Access in India Trade Talks
Two Republican senators have directly appealed to President Donald Trump. They want him to prioritize American pulse crop producers during ongoing trade negotiations with India. Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota sent a formal letter to the White House on January 16.
Call for Favorable Provisions in Bilateral Deal
The lawmakers explicitly requested the inclusion of favorable pulse crop provisions in any future trade agreement between the United States and India. Both Montana and North Dakota rank among the top producers of pulse crops in the US. These crops include peas, lentils, and various dried beans.
India represents the world's largest consumer market for these commodities. The senators highlighted this massive demand as a key reason for their push.
Concerns Over High Indian Tariffs and Trade Barriers
American farmers have expressed long-standing worries about India's agricultural tariffs. The senators argue these high duties increase costs and hurt the competitiveness of US exports. They pointed to a specific decision by India to impose a 30% tariff on yellow peas, announced last October and set to take effect in November 2025.
According to the letter, this creates a significant competitive disadvantage for US producers. Data from the US Trade Representative's office shows a stark contrast. India's average applied tariff on agricultural products is 39%, compared to just 5% in the United States.
The USTR has also identified other obstacles. These include technical trade barriers, regulatory hurdles, and general market access restrictions in sectors like agriculture. Officials say these issues have reduced American exports to India.
Broader Context of US-India Trade Negotiations
This appeal comes as Washington and New Delhi work to finalize a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed both sides are actively engaged in concluding a new deal. Formal negotiations for a US-India trade agreement began on February 13 of last year. The USTR finalized its Terms of Reference in April, setting the stage for multi-sector talks.
Argument for Mutual Benefit
Daines and Cramer made a case for mutual economic gain. They argued that lowering trade barriers would help American farmers and Indian consumers alike. India has a large and growing demand for protein-rich pulses. Engaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly on this issue, they said, would be beneficial for both nations.
The senators thanked President Trump for his past support of agricultural producers in their states. They encouraged him to continue pursuing favorable terms for pulse crops as negotiations progress.
History of Advocacy and Previous Actions
This is not the first time these lawmakers have raised the issue. They recalled similar concerns during President Trump's first term, ahead of 2020 trade talks with India. The senators noted that the President had personally delivered their earlier letter to PM Modi. They believe this action helped bring US producers into the negotiation process.
In their 2020 letter, written before President Trump's visit to India, they labeled Indian pulse crop tariffs as unfair. They stated these tariffs had significantly harmed American producers. This advocacy follows India's removal from the US Generalized System of Preferences in June 2019, which led to additional duties on American exports.
The lawmakers concluded with a forward-looking statement. As the United States works to rebalance trade, American farmers stand ready. They possess tremendous capacity to help feed the world if given fair trade opportunities.
