US Senators Push India to Lower Pulse Tariffs

On one hand, countries around the world are seeking exemptions from Trump on tariffs, but on the other hand, in the case of pulses, American lawmakers are now themselves seeking concessions from India.

Republican Senators Steve Daines and Kevin Cramer from the US states of Montana and North Dakota have written a letter to President Trump demanding that he make efforts to reduce India’s 30 percent duty on American pulses (lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas), as this is severely harming American farmers. India is the world’s largest consumer of pulses, accounting for approximately 27 percent of global consumption.

The US states of Montana and North Dakota lead in pulses production. Following President Donald Trump’s imposition of up to 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods in 2025, India quietly took a significant retaliatory step, and at the end of October 2025, the Indian government imposed a 30 percent import duty on American pulses, which came into effect from November 1, 2025.

This move largely escaped media attention, but now American senators are calling it unfair. Previously, duty-free import of pulses was allowed until March 2026, but it was terminated following appeals from American farmers.

A trade agreement between the US and India has still not been finalized, and this dispute is making it even more complicated. The American senators’ letter highlights that while countries around the world are seeking tariff relief from Trump,

American lawmakers are now themselves seeking concessions from India. Indian experts believe that if the trade agreement demands fully opening the Indian pulses market to American products, India will not accept it, as it would go against the interests of local farmers.