ANI
08 Feb 2026, 10:29 GMT+10
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 8 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that the framework for the trade agreement with the United States will not harm Indian farmers, and that the US has infact reduced tariffs on several Indian farm exports to zero.
He said that Indian farmers' interests have been fully protected in the trade deal with the US, adding that no key crops, fruits, dairy products or spices have been opened to American imports.
The India-US trade deal reduces tariffs on Indian goods in the US to 18 per cent, while Washington has claimed the deal will help it export more agricultural products to New Delhi.
Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Chouhan said, 'PM Modi said that he will not let the country bow down and will not allow any harm to the interests of the farmers. This trade deal has taken both of these into account... If we look at agriculture and agricultural products, no product has been included to harm Indian farmers. All such products have been excluded from the trade deal.'
'There is no tariff concession on products like soybeans, corn, rice, wheat, sugar, grains, poultry, dairy, bananas, strawberries, cherries, sour fruits, green peas, Kabuli chana, moong, tilhan, ethanol, tobacco... No door has been opened to America for our main crops, fruits, and dairy production... No liquid, powder, cream, yoghurt, buttermilk, butter, ghee, butter oil, paneer, or cheese will be imported to India.... Our spices are safe. Many agricultural products from India will be exported to the US at zero duty. But American agricultural products have not been given this exemption in the Indian market,' he said.
Chouhan said that the US has cut tariffs on several Indian agricultural products from 50 per cent to zero, boosting exports, while India has not given similar concessions to American farm products.
'The US has reduced tariffs on several agricultural products from 50% to 0%... Our spice exports have increased by 88%... We have exported spices and spice products to 200 countries worldwide... Our farmers have received complete tariff exemption... In textiles, our tariff is significantly lower than that of our competitor countries, at 18%... The lives of women in self-help groups will also be enriched by this agreement,' he said.
He said, 'So far, under PM Modi's leadership, nine FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) have been signed, in addition to the one with America... Discussions are underway with other countries also... These agreements and understandings will serve as milestones in building a 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047 and a self-reliant India.' Subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, the US will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners Annex to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements), as amended, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Calgary Monitor news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.
More InformationAgricultural lenders surveyed by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac reported that only 52 percent of farm borrowers were...
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 8 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that the framework...
Washington DC [US], February 8 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order for overseas arms sales, directing the...
New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, Jurgen Westermeier, on Sunday,...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Bantamweight Mario Bautista passed his first UFC main-event test with flying colors, securing...
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) LIVIGNO, Italy -- Olympic medalists Alex Hall of the United States and Jesper Tjader...
MILAN, Italy: Stellantis' decision to rein in its electric-vehicle ambitions landed with a thud on markets on February 6, as the automaker...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tired of the bullying, bluster, and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump with regard to tariffs, countries that...
SINGAPORE: As the global aviation industry gathers in Singapore, airline executives and regulators are confronting a tougher path to...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Bantamweight Mario Bautista passed his first UFC main-event test with flying colors, securing...
(260208) -- MILAN, Feb. 8, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Charlene Guignard (top)/Marco Fabbri of Italy perform during the free dance of ice dance...
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) MILAN, Italy -- Francesca Lollobrigida powered to victory in the women's 3,000 meters...
