India-US trade deal a pro-farmer agreement, agri and dairy sectors protected: Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said Indians across the world are praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the trade deal struck with the United States.

“On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I want to thank PM Modi because this deal will bring lot of opportunities for India's economic growth, for farmers, poor, fishermen, women, youth,” he said, addressing a press briefing.

The trade deal finalised with US is the best among India's neighbouring countries, said Goyal, adding that for months, India’s negotiating team were constantly in dialogue with US counterparts.

"We all know that the Prime Minister, leveraging his friendly relationship and close ties with President Trump, has finalised a trade deal with the United States of America that is the best deal India has received compared to all our neighbours, all the surrounding countries, and all the countries that compete with us. This is a great deal for all of us," said Goyal.

Dismissing concerns over farmers’ interests, Goyal said the Prime Minister had always remained deeply committed to the welfare of farmers and people associated with animal husbandry and the dairy sector, and had consistently acted to defend their interests.

"PM Modi has always championed both the agriculture and dairy sectors, safeguarding their interests and working tirelessly to ensure a bright future and ample opportunities for the people in this sector," he said, adding that the sensitive factors of India's economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, have been protected.

Goyal's statement came as Opposition parties demanded that PM Modi clarify the trade deal, warning that it could affect sensitive sectors such as agriculture.

Earlier, US secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins thanked Trump for "once again" delivering for American farmers. "New US-India deal will export more American farm products to India's massive market, lifting prices, and pumping cash into rural America," she said in a post on X.

Noting that in 2024, America's agricultural trade deficit with India was $1.3 billion, she said India's growing population is an "important market" for American agricultural products and the deal will go a long way to reducing this deficit. "America First victory on top of the dozens of deals for agriculture," she said.

India-US trade deal

India and the United States have agreed on a trade deal under which Washington will reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, US President Donald Trump said on Monday after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi later said he was delighted that ‘Made in India’ products would now face lower tariffs.

"Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement," PM Modi said.