Bhubaneswar: Trade negotiations between India and the United States could face fresh challenges amid differences over import duties on pulses, even as two American lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump to push for the withdrawal of India’s 30 per cent import tariff on lentils and peas.
According to reports, the lawmakers have written to President Trump highlighting the difficulties faced by US pulse producers due to tariffs imposed by New Delhi. They warned that India’s move, following the US decision to levy a 50 per cent tariff on certain Indian goods, could further complicate bilateral relations between the two countries.
Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana and Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said their states are among the top producers of pulses, including peas, while India remains the world’s largest consumer. India accounts for nearly 27 per cent of global pulse consumption, making it a critical export market for American farmers.
In India, pulses such as lentils (masur), chickpeas (chana), dry beans and peas form a staple part of the diet. The Indian government announced a 30 per cent import duty on yellow peas on October 30 last year, which came into effect from November 1, 2025. Since then, US pulse exporters have reportedly faced significant challenges in accessing the Indian market.
The lawmakers argued that addressing the pulse tariff issue through dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be beneficial for both American producers and Indian consumers, while also helping strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
They also recalled that a similar issue had been raised during President Trump’s earlier term in 2020, ahead of trade talks with India, when the President had personally handed over a letter on the matter to Prime Minister Modi.
Observers note that how both sides handle the pulse tariff issue could influence the broader trajectory of India–US trade relations in the coming months.
-OdishaAge
