White House softens trade deal factsheet language

The White House has revised its factsheet on the newly announced India–US trade framework within 24 hours of its release, removing or softening several key references related to agricultural access, digital taxation and large-scale US exports.

The updated version of the “Historic Trade Deal” factsheet retains the broad contours of the interim reciprocal trade framework announced by US President Donald Trump following a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, certain parts in the earlier version have been modified. One notable change is the removal of “certain pulses” from the list of US agricultural products for which India would eliminate or reduce tariffs. The earlier version explicitly mentioned pulses, along with dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil, wine, and spirits. In the revised document, pulses no longer figure in the enumerated list.

The omission of “certain pulses” from the revised factsheet indicates that the issue remains sensitive for India, said B.B. Singh, an expert in oilseeds and pulses. “Pulses are politically and economically important for India. Any large-scale tariff reduction on US pulses would have implications for domestic farmers and price stability.”

The fact that pulses were mentioned earlier and then dropped suggests there is “still no firm agreement on this segment”, he said. “India imports pulses to manage shortages, but it also has to protect farmer interests. So any commitment in this area is likely to be carefully calibrated.”

Digital trade, purchase commitments

The White House has also tweaked the language on digital trade commitments. The earlier factsheet stated that India would scrap its digital services taxes and negotiate rules prohibiting customs duties on electronic transmissions. In the updated version, these references have been removed. It now states only that India is “committed to negotiate a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules that address discriminatory or burdensome practices and other barriers to digital trade”, without mentioning digital services taxes or customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Similarly, the language around India’s purchase commitments has been softened. The initial factsheet said that India “committed to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of US energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal, and other products”.

The revised version replaces this with “India intends to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of US energy, information and communication technology, coal, and other products,” shifting from a firm commitment to an expression of intent and removing the explicit reference to agricultural products in that line.

Experts said that the factsheet, aimed at the US audience, translates the messaging of the earlier Joint Statement into a more business-relevant signal on market access, regulatory cooperation and supply-chain alignment.

“For industry, the emphasis on tariff rationalisation in select industrial products and sectors, expanded agricultural access, and collaboration in technology, energy and digital trade suggests incremental but tangible commercial openings that can be expected,” said Agneshwar Sen, trade policy leader, EY India.

Sen said this is certainly more targeted than a sweeping free-trade agreement. “Equally important is the acknowledgement that several provisions remain under negotiation—indicating a phased approach that allows companies to prepare without assuming immediate structural change,” he said.

“The document underscores policy direction and strategic intent, offering businesses early visibility on opportunities while reinforcing India–US economic convergence,” he said.

An expert on national security strategies said that the revisions reflect the strategic sensitivity of certain commitments.

“The softening of language on digital taxes and large-scale purchase commitments suggests both sides are calibrating expectations. Trade is no longer just about tariffs—it is closely linked to energy security, technology access and geopolitical alignment,” said Amit Singh, associate professor at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

“The reference to India aligning with the US on systemic imbalances and national security challenges indicates that this agreement is as much strategic as it is economic. But on issues like digital sovereignty and agricultural access, India is likely to retain negotiating space rather than make upfront concessions,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mint reported, citing a person aware of the matter, that for India the joint statement issued on Saturday remains the primary document for the trade agreement.

The broader framework remains unchanged. The US will lower its reciprocal tariff on India from 25% to 18%, following President Trump’s decision to remove an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports after India committed to stop purchasing Russian oil. The two countries will also negotiate rules of origin to ensure benefits accrue primarily to them and address non-tariff barriers in priority areas.

Earlier, while announcing the reciprocal tariff on 2 April 2025, the US had initially imposed a 27% duty on India. The rate was revised a day later to 26%, with the White House citing a calculation error.