India says trade deal with US will not hurt its farmers
SPY•Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said India would not compromise farmers’ interests in a US trade deal and would have a strong advantage once it is sealed. The first phase is nearly finalised, but the agreement has not been signed.
1. Minister defends deal
Piyush Goyal said India would not compromise the interests of farmers or other stakeholders in a trade deal with the US. He said Indians would celebrate once the details were released and the agreement was sealed.
2. Farm groups raise concerns
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a coalition of more than 100 farm groups, said the deal could eliminate high Indian tariffs on products including maize, almonds, walnuts, apples and soybean oil. Farming groups have urged the government to share more details, citing concerns that subsidised US imports could depress domestic prices and hurt rural incomes.
3. Agreement not signed
The two countries unveiled a framework in February that lowered US punitive tariffs on most Indian goods, but have not signed the pact. The SKM said it would organise further demonstrations in November and seek the deal’s withdrawal.
