Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal Amid Political Questions
Questions continue to surround the India-US trade deal announced by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. On Tuesday, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal addressed some concerns, calling the agreement beneficial for all Indians. Speaking amid political turmoil in Parliament, Goyal said the deal would help “everyone, from farmers to fisherfolk.” However, he said he could not present details in the Lok Sabha due to disruptions during the session.
‘Best Deal in the Region,’ Says Goyal
Defending the agreement, Goyal said PM Modi leveraged his personal rapport with Trump to secure the “best deal among all countries in the region.” He added that India faced severe challenges before the breakthrough. According to him, exporters struggled under high tariffs, farmers felt pressure, and marine exporters faced uncertainty. Moreover, he said opposition leaders had questioned the government for months over delays. Goyal insisted the agreement eases those pressures and reverses damaging trade conditions.
What Is Known So Far About the Deal
Despite the announcement, details remain limited. The US has reduced reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% with immediate effect. In addition, the US has removed a separate 25% penalty imposed over India’s purchase of Russian oil. Together, these steps roll back the effective tariff rate from 50% that had been in place since August 2025. However, Trump claimed India would move towards “zero” tariffs on US goods and buy $500 billion worth of American products. These claims have triggered sharp political and economic debate in New Delhi.
Concerns Over Tariffs, Oil, and Agriculture
Opposition leaders have questioned whether the deal creates an uneven playing field, with India facing tariffs while the US does not. Economists note that while the 18% rate is higher than earlier levels, it remains lower than tariffs faced by regional peers such as Indonesia and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Trump’s claim that India will stop buying Russian oil has drawn skepticism. Russia has said it received no such communication. Agriculture has emerged as the most sensitive issue. While the Indian government insists farm and dairy sectors remain protected, US officials described the deal as opening India’s agricultural market. With the full text still unreleased, opposition leaders have demanded parliamentary scrutiny. The government has assured that a detailed statement and debate will follow.
