The United States government quietly updated its official factsheet on the recently announced India-US trade deal, softening key commitments and removing references to certain agricultural products. The revision comes just a day after the original document was published on the White House website, and reflects a more cautious presentation of the trade framework reached by Washington and New Delhi.
What Changed in the Factsheet
In the original version of the factsheet released by the White House, the document described India as having “committed” to purchasing more than $500 billion worth of American goods. However, in the revised text, the term “committed” has been changed to “intends”, softening the certainty of India’s future purchases. The updated language now reads that India “intends to buy more American products” including energy, technology goods, and coal.
A similar change was made in the list of products included in the proposal. The earlier version included agricultural goods generally, but in the updated text the word “agriculture” has been removed. Additionally, the reference to “certain pulses” — specific types of legumes — has been quietly deleted from the list of American agricultural items on which India would reduce or eliminate tariffs.
Tariff Changes and Agricultural Products
The original fact sheet highlighted that India would eliminate or cut duties on a wide range of U.S. industrial and agricultural products. These included dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine, spirits, and certain pulses. However, the updated version no longer mentions pulses, signaling that this product category was not agreed upon in bilateral negotiations.
Removing pulses from the factsheet is significant, as pulses are a staple food product and politically sensitive commodity in India. Farmers’ groups and policymakers have been closely monitoring references to pulses, given the potential impact on domestic agriculture markets.
Digital Tax Language Softened
Another important alteration involves the treatment of digital services taxes. The earlier version said that India “will remove its digital services tax” and commit to negotiating digital trade rules. In the updated text, that commitment is absent. Now, the factsheet simply states that India is prepared to negotiate robust bilateral digital trade rules, removing any explicit pledge to abolish the tax.
What the Two Countries Have Agreed
India and the United States previously announced a framework for an interim reciprocal trade deal aimed at boosting bilateral trade. Under this proposal, the U.S. agreed to reduce tariffs on certain Indian goods — lowering duties from around 50 % to 18 %. In return, India agreed to eliminate or cut tariffs on many U.S. industrial and food products.
The joint statement accompanying the trade framework also noted that India intends to purchase nearly $500 billion worth of U.S. products — including energy, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal — over the next five years.
Broader Implications
Analysts say the revisions to the factsheet reflect a cautious repositioning by both governments. Softening language like “commitment” to “intent” provides New Delhi with greater flexibility in future trade engagements while maintaining the broader spirit of cooperation with Washington.
