How did India hit back against Donald Trump's tariffs? US senators make BIG revelation

New Delhi: Even as US President Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on Indian products, India retaliated by raising tariffs on agricultural imports from the United States. This move, which was quietly implemented in October 2025 amid strain in bilateral ties, was revealed by a couple of US senators.

How did PM Modi counter US tariffs on India?

Even as Donald Trump put the long-pending US-India trade deal in limbo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi retaliated by raising tariffs on imports on pulses from the US. While countries around the world are appealing to Trump to reduce tariffs, American lawmakers are urging their president to negotiate with India to lower tariffs. Two Republican senators, Steve Daines (Montana) and Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), have written a letter urging Trump to ask India to reduce tariffs on pulses in the upcoming trade agreement.

What message did the US senators give to Donald Trump?

In their letter to the US President, the senators stated that their states, Montana and North Dakota, are leading producers of pulses. India is the largest consumer of pulses produced in these regions. India's total consumption of pulses accounts for 27 percent of global consumption. Amidst the ongoing tariff war, the senators said that India has announced a 30 percent tariff on yellow peas imported from the US. This came into effect in November 2025. As a result, American exporters are facing losses in the Indian market.

The senators urged Trump to discuss this issue with Prime Minister Modi and persuade him to reduce the tariffs. If India agrees to do so, it would benefit American exporters and, to some extent, Indian consumers as well.

Why is the timing of this development significant?

It is worth noting that this letter from the American senators to Trump comes at a time when the US has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports. Of this 50 percent, 25 percent was imposed by President Trump as a penalty on India for purchasing Russian oil.

Why did India impose a 30 percent tariff on US pulses?

The Indian government's Department of Revenue announced a 30 percent duty on the import of yellow peas last October. The order issued by the department stated that this 30 percent tariff included a 10 percent standard rate and a 20 percent agricultural infrastructure and development cess. This order, which came into effect in November, is set to remain in place until March 2026.  Prior to this order, there was no tariff on the import of yellow peas into India.

According to media reports, this move by the Indian government was prompted by falling domestic pulse prices due to cheap imports.

How have US lawmakers responded to India's move?

Lawmakers from North Dakota and Montana have opposed India's decision. They stated that they had personally written to Prime Minister Modi in 2020 to ensure the smooth continuation of yellow pea exports to India, but this had little effect. India has now taken the same step again.