It has emerged that the 30% import duty (tariff) imposed by the Government of India on pulses imported from the United States is causing significant financial harm to American farmers. Against this backdrop, two influential senators from the United States have directly written to President Donald Trump, requesting him to raise this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during trade discussions with India.
Senator Steve Daines of Montana and Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota sent this letter to Trump on January 16. Notably, both these senators are from Trump's Republican Party. Montana and North Dakota are important states for grain production in the United States, with large-scale production of lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, and peas.
The senators noted in their letter that India is the largest consumer of pulses in the world. About 27% of global pulse demand comes from India. Therefore, the Indian market is extremely important for American farmers. However, the imposition of a 30% tariff by India on pulses imported from the United States has reduced exports, directly affecting the income of American farmers.
According to the letter, the Government of India announced on October 30, 2025, that it would impose a 30% import duty on pulses, and the implementation of this decision began on November 1, 2025. The senators argue that this tariff is being imposed by India in a “wrong manner” and is not consistent with the principles of international trade.
Senators have also clarified that reducing tariffs on pulses could benefit both countries. On one hand, American farmers will get a large market for their produce, while on the other hand, Indian consumers will have access to pulses at lower prices. This will strengthen India-US trade relations, as claimed in the letter. Meanwhile, this issue is likely to be important in the upcoming trade agreement discussions between India and the US. Farmers and traders in both countries are keenly watching what stance the Trump administration takes on this demand and whether the Indian government provides any relief regarding these tariffs.