Agriculture, dairy protected in India-US deal: Piyush Goyal
What's the story
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has announced that India's agriculture and dairy sectors are fully protected under the new trade deal with the United States. The agreement, which was announced by US President Donald Trump on February 2, 2026, reduces tariffs from 25% to 18%. "No US farm or dairy products get market access," Goyal said during a press briefing.
Agreement details
Farmers-first deal, thanks Trump for respecting Modi friendship: Goyal
Goyal described the deal as a "farmers-first" agreement, emphasizing its protection of sensitive sectors. He said the PM, leveraging his friendly relationship and close ties with Trump, finalized the trade deal with the US. "This is a farmers-first deal for India, protecting agriculture, dairy, and other key sectors," Goyal said. He also praised PM Modi's commitment to safeguarding these industries and ensuring their future growth. He said it is the best deal India has received compared to all neighbors.
Opposition criticism
Congress Rahul Gandhi created 'shameful scene' in Parliament: Goyal
Goyal said this deal will truly bring immense opportunities for India's economy, "for all 140 crore citizens of India, for every poor person, farmer, fisherman, young man and woman living in the villages, our sisters, and women." He added that it will open up huge opportunities for the labor-intensive sectors and export sectors in textiles, plastics, apparel, home decor, leather and footwear, gems and jewelry, organic chemicals, rubber goods, machinery, so many products, and aircraft components.
Twitter Post
Technical processes are completed
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, says, "Indians are celebrating a trade deal which is under the final stages of detailing between the negotiating teams of both countries. We will shortly be issuing a joint statement by both countries along… pic.twitter.com/TQMatUvATs
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2026
Tariff response
Strongly condemn the opposition: Goyal
He also slammed the opposition for disrupting discussions in Parliament over the deal, saying "normally, we would have wanted to speak about this in Parliament, but we all witnessed that disgraceful scene." "The way the opposition, especially the Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and their allies the DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party, behaved so disgracefully...They even reached the Speaker's chair and insulted him. I strongly condemn the opposition and Rahul Gandhi," he said.