New U.S. tariff policy favours agricultural exports; raises concern for Indian farmers: Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar highlights concerns for Indian farmers amid new U.S. tariff policy favoring agricultural exports in the recent trade deal.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) [NCP(SP)] chief and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday (February 4, 2026) said the new U.S. tariff policy has provisions allowing agricultural exports to India, which is a cause for concern for Indian farmers.

“A clear picture of the recent India-U.S. trade deal would emerge in the next two days,” Mr. Pawar told reporters in Baramati. The U.S. had earlier imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% for its purchases of Russian oil.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (February 2, 2026) said India and the U.S. agreed to a trade deal. On his part, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was delighted that "made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%".

Commenting on the issue of tariffs in the context of the recent India-U.S. trade deal, Mr. Pawar said a clear picture would emerge in the next two days.

"We can comment only after the picture becomes clear. However, a provision in the Indo-U.S. tariff deal announced by the United States allows agricultural exports to India, which is a matter of concern for Indian farmers and the domestic agriculture sector," he said.

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