India Imposes 30% Tariff on US Pulses Amid Trump-Era Trade Tensions
The long-pending trade agreement between India and the United States has encountered a new hurdle as pulses have emerged as a contentious issue. Amid growing trade tensions, India has imposed a 30 percent import tariff on US pulses, drawing strong reactions from American lawmakers.
Recently, two US senators wrote to former President Donald Trump, urging him to push India to withdraw what they termed an “unfair” tariff. They argued that the duty is causing significant losses to American farmers at a time when bilateral trade negotiations are already facing complications.
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Senator Steve Daines of Montana stated in their letter that India announced a 30 percent tariff on yellow peas imported from the US on October 30, which came into effect on November 1. The decision, they noted, was implemented quietly without wide public discussion.
Analysts believe this move reflects a calculated and measured response by India to earlier high tariffs imposed by the US. Rather than opting for a confrontational approach, India appears to have chosen a strategic and subdued form of retaliation.
What Geopolitical Experts Say
Geopolitical experts suggest that India’s restrained response sends a clear but balanced signal to Washington. On social media, several observers described the tariff as a firm yet diplomatic message in response to US trade policies.
American senators have urged Trump to ensure better market access for US pulses and lentils in India before finalizing any future trade agreement. The issue is particularly critical for states like North Dakota and Montana, where agriculture forms the backbone of the local economy and where peas and pulses are major crops.
India, on the other hand, is the world’s largest consumer of pulses, accounting for nearly 27 percent of global consumption. While chickpeas, lentils, peas, and dry beans are widely consumed in India, the government has consistently prioritized protecting domestic farmers.
US lawmakers also recalled that during Trump’s first term, the issue had been raised earlier and conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2020 trade negotiations. That same year, Trump visited India and showcased strong personal ties with Modi during the high-profile “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad.