White House Revises US-India Trade Deal Factsheet, Removes Pulses Reference

The White House has made significant revisions to its factsheet on the recently announced US-India trade agreement, removing key references to pulses and digital services taxation. The changes, made on Tuesday, represent notable adjustments to how the deal is being presented to the public and stakeholders.

The original factsheet, titled “The United States and India Announce Historic Trade Deal (Interim Agreement),” was published on Monday, shortly after both nations announced the framework for what they described as a reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade arrangement. However, just one day later, the document underwent substantial modifications on sensitive trade points.

Among the most notable changes, the White House removed “certain pulses” from the list of agricultural products on which India had reportedly agreed to reduce tariffs. The original document had specifically included pulses alongside other items such as tree nuts, soybean oil, wine, and spirits. Pulses, which include lentils, chickpeas, and beans, represent a politically sensitive agricultural sector in India, where domestic production is crucial for food security.

The revised factsheet also altered language regarding digital trade. The initial version had suggested India would scrap digital services taxes, but the updated document now states more cautiously that India is “committed to negotiate a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules.” Additionally, references to “rules that prohibit the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions” were entirely removed from the document.

These modifications appear to align the factsheet more closely with the joint statement released by both countries last week, which made no mention of pulses among items targeted for tariff reduction. The changes suggest potential sensitivities or ongoing negotiations around these specific trade areas.

In another subtle but potentially significant adjustment, the revised factsheet changed language around India’s purchasing commitments. Where the original document stated India “committed” to buying over $500 billion in American products, the new version states India merely “intends” to make such purchases. This softer language provides more flexibility in how binding these purchasing targets might be considered.

The specific products mentioned in this potential $500 billion purchasing arrangement include US energy products, information and communication technology, coal, and other goods over an unspecified timeframe. The joint statement from last week had specified this would occur “over the next 5 years” and included additional items such as aircraft, aircraft parts, and precious metals.

Trade experts suggest these revisions might reflect diplomatic sensitivity around how the deal is being portrayed to domestic audiences in both countries. For India, pulses represent a critical agricultural sector with millions of farmers dependent on stable prices. Meanwhile, digital services taxation remains a complex international issue with significant revenue implications for both nations.

The factsheet modifications were first highlighted by former Indian Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention to the discrepancies between versions.

The US-India trade relationship has grown increasingly important for both countries in recent years, with bilateral trade exceeding $190 billion annually. This interim agreement represents a step toward addressing long-standing trade frictions, though the revisions to the factsheet suggest certain elements remain works in progress.

Analysts note that the changes highlight the complex balancing act required when finalizing international trade agreements, particularly between major economies with different domestic priorities and sensitivities.