Pulse tax under fire: US senators urge Trump to lift 30% levy

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Recent indications suggest that the first phase of negotiations on a trade deal between India and the United States is nearly complete and could be announced soon. Meanwhile, a group of US senators has written to President Donald Trump, urging him to lift the import duty imposed on American yellow peas from India.

The senators have pushed for inclusion of favorable provisions for pulse crops in the India-US trade agreement. The letter urges President Trump to ensure that India lifts the 30 percent tariff on yellow peas so that American farmers can sell their produce at competitive prices in the Indian market.

North Dakota and Montana are the leading producers of pulse crops, including peas, in the US, while India is the world's largest consumer of these crops, accounting for approximately 27 percent of global consumption. The senators argue that the US is working to address the trade imbalance and that American farmers are capable of meeting this need.

The letter states that as trade talks between India and the US progress, issues related to pulse crops should be prioritized in any potential agreement. Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas are among the largest consumers in India, yet high import duties have been imposed on US pulses.

The senators noted in the letter that India had decided to impose a 30 percent tariff on yellow split peas on October 30, 2025, effective November 1, 2025. This tariff is putting US pulse producers at a competitive disadvantage in exporting their high-quality products to the Indian market.

He also recalled that this issue had been raised previously during President Trump's first term. During trade negotiations with India in 2020, President Trump personally delivered this letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, helping to incorporate the interests of American producers into the negotiation process.

The senators stated that President Trump has played a key role in creating new market opportunities for American agricultural products. They believe that if trade opportunities expand, American farmers can play a major role in providing food and energy security to the world. They stated that discussing the issue of pulses tariffs with Prime Minister Modi would be a positive step toward strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, which could benefit both American producers and Indian consumers.