Dairy, vegetables protected in India-US trade deal: Piyush Goyal
What's the story
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has announced that the India-US trade deal will protect several agricultural products. The list includes dairy products, fruits, vegetables, spices, and other grains. The move is aimed at safeguarding the interests of domestic farmers and strengthening local agriculture by providing preferential access to a large market.
Self-reliance
Farmers safe, country developed
Goyal took to X to highlight the significance of the trade deal. He said, "In the India-US trade agreement, dairy, fruits, vegetables, spices and other grains have been protected." He added that this would not only protect domestic farmers but also strengthen local agriculture through preferential access to a large market. The statement aligns with the broader theme of promoting a self-reliant India, as highlighted by Goyal in the source articles.
Protected items
Trade deal protects various agricultural products
The trade deal protects a wide range of agricultural products. These include frozen vegetables such as potatoes, peas, cucumbers and gherkins; beans and other legume vegetables (peeled or unpeeled); temporarily preserved vegetables like cucumber and mushrooms (Agaricus species) as well as mixed canned vegetables. Dairy products such as milk (liquid, powdered, candied), cheese (mozzarella, blue-veined, grated/powdered), cream, butter oil, yogurt, cheese among others are also covered under this agreement. This protection aims to safeguard domestic farmers and promote self-reliance.
Additional protections
Spices and grains covered under the agreement
The trade deal also protects a variety of grains such as ragi, wheat, copra, amaranth, siamak, maize, millet, rice, barley, oats, sorghum, fine flour (wheat, corn, rice, millet, etc.), and flour. Spices protected under this agreement include black pepper, long dried green chili, cinnamon (bark, flowers, etc.), coriander, cumin, asafoetida, ginger, turmeric, celery, fenugreek, cassia, mustard, rye husk, and other powdered spices. This protection aims to safeguard domestic farmers and promote self-reliance.
Agreement specifics
US-India trade deal details revealed by White House
The White House has revealed the details of the US-India trade deal. It said India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and food and agricultural products. These include dried distillers' grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh/processed fruit, soybean oil, wine, spirits, among other items. This is part of a broader economic engagement between the US and India, including India's intention to purchase significant amounts of US energy products and technology.
Economic engagement
Broader economic engagement between US and India
As part of broader economic engagement, India has agreed to buy $500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal over the next five years. The two countries also agreed to significantly increase trade in technology products such as graphics processing units for data centers and expand joint technology cooperation. This engagement aims to establish robust digital trade rules and provide mutual benefits.