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Sunday, January 18, 2026

18/01/26, 30% Tariff on Yellow Peas

 

US senators have written to their President to negotiate on behalf of pulse farmers of North Dakota and Montana after India imposed 30% tariffs on USA-produced yellow peas since November 1, 2025. In a letter to Donald Trump dated January 16, senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines have urged their president to "push for favourable pulse crop provisions in any agreement that the US government signs with India.

"North Dakota and Montana are the top two producers of pulse crops, and India is the world's largest consumer of these crops, accounting for over 27% of all pulses consumed in the world. …India announced on October 30 that it will impose 30% tariff on yellow peas imported from the US. The tariff went into effect on November 1, and it has meant a competitive disadvantage for farmers in North Dakota and Montana", the letter states.

 The letter by Senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines to Trump

Cramer and Daines further requested that Trump should negotiate with PM Modi on the topic of pulse crop tariff, so that US farmers can gain a competitive advantage.

The letter also notes that in 2023, India had allowed some relief on US pulses, but the recent US tariffs have nullified that advantage and India’s tariffs on US crops are hitting US farmers.

It is notable here that India's November 1 tariff seems to be a direct retaliation to the 50% tariff that Donald Trump slapped on India in August 2025, for its continued import of Russian oil.

India's 30% rataliatory tariff on US peas had largely escaped the media focus domestically. With the letter by the senators now going viral on social media, there is a renewed discussion on how India is trying to hold its ground in the trade talks and respond to the unfair tariffs imposed by Trump.

It is notable here that recently, another development highlighted India's strategic stand. India had reportedly reduced its holding on US Treasury bonds by over 50.7 billion USD, a remarkable change in the trend of increasing investments in the last few years.

The US-India bilateral trade remains robust, with a 22% year-on-year rise reported in November 2025. However, both nations are yet to finalise the trade agreement, hinting at hard negotiations underway from both sides.

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