'Pulses' vanish, language softens: What changed overnight in White House fact sheet on India–US trade deal?

The White House has revised its official fact sheet on the recently announced interim trade agreement with India, dropping references to “pulses” from tariff concessions and softening language on India’s proposed $500 billion purchase of American goods.

An earlier version of the White House fact sheet had said India would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, “certain pulses”, soybean oil, wine and spirits.

It had also stated that India “committed” to buying over USD 500 billion worth of US energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal and other products.

However, in the revised fact sheet issued on February 9, the reference to pulses has been removed from the list of agricultural products, while the language on purchases has been altered to say India “intends” to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of US energy, ICT, coal and other goods.

The joint statement released last week by both countries had made no mention of pulses among items on which India would cut or eliminate tariffs for US products.

It had also said that “India intends to purchase $500 billion of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal over the next five years.”

The revised US fact sheet said the framework follows a call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after which the two leaders announced a framework to the agreement.

The government has been asserting that India has fully protected sensitive agricultural and dairy products such as maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (fuel), tobacco, certain vegetables and meat.

"The agreement reflects India's commitment to safeguarding farmers' interests and sustaining rural livelihoods by completely protecting sensitive agricultural and dairy products, including maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (fuel), tobacco, certain vegetables and meat," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a social media post.

These goods are sensitive as it involves the livelihood of small and marginal farmers of the country.

The updated document said India would eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and several agricultural products, and address non-tariff barriers affecting bilateral trade in priority areas.