- US senators from North Dakota and Montana urge Trump to address India's high pulse tariffs
- India's 30% tariff on yellow peas reduces competitiveness of US pulse exports
- North Dakota and Montana are leading US producers of pulse crops like peas
US senators from North Dakota and Montana have asked President Donald Trump to seek better access for American pulse crops in any trade agreement with India, flagging high Indian tariffs as a key concern in the talks.
In a letter dated January 16, the senators said India's duties on US pulses put American producers at a disadvantage and should be addressed as negotiations progress. They urged Trump to raise the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure provisions that favour US exporters.
The intervention comes as Washington and Delhi attempt to revive stalled trade negotiations after months of friction over tariffs. Agriculture remains one of the most sensitive areas in the talks, with the US seeking wider access to India's market while India continues to shield its farm sector.
The senators said North Dakota and Montana are the two largest US producers of pulse crops, including peas, while India accounts for about 27% of global consumption. Lentils, chickpeas, dried beans and peas are the most widely consumed pulses in India, but the country continues to levy high import duties on American produce.
They pointed in particular to India's decision in October last year to impose a 30% tariff on yellow peas, which took effect from Nov. 1. The move, they said, reduced the competitiveness of US pulse exports despite strong demand in the Indian market.
The lawmakers reminded Trump that they had raised the issue during his first term, when he passed on their concerns to Modi during the 2020 trade discussions. They said that effort helped bring US producers into negotiations at the time.
The letter said American farmers have the capacity to meet global demand and could help address trade imbalances if given fair access. It added that easing pulse crop tariffs would benefit both US producers and Indian consumers and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
The appeal followed a sharp escalation in trade tensions after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in August, including an additional measure linked to India's purchases of Russian oil. Talks later resumed, but negotiators have missed several informal deadlines and have yet to agree on a timeline for a deal.
Since the tariffs came into force, Indian refiners have reduced oil purchases from Russia, according to reports. The broader tariff dispute has also strained ties between Delhi and Washington, despite an initially warm phase after Modi's early visit to the White House following Trump's swearing-in.
India has since pushed back against Trump's claims of mediating a ceasefire with Pakistan after a brief conflict in May. In June, Delhi said Modi told Trump that India would not accept third-party mediation on Kashmir, underscoring the wider diplomatic tensions surrounding the trade talks.
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