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Date: 31-mar-2025 | By: Nuztrend Team
As trade tensions escalate, U.S. President Donald Trump has made a pointed demand—he wants India to buy American corn. But experts believe that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Despite diplomatic nudges and calls for market access from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, India continues to guard its agriculture sector with high tariffs and regulatory barriers.
The U.S. administration has long targeted India’s farm policies. Trump has labeled India a “tariff king” and criticized its restrictions on U.S. farm exports. In recent statements, Lutnick questioned why India hasn’t purchased “even a single bushel of U.S. corn,” and called for a review of India’s import limits and subsidies.
India’s reluctance stems from its agricultural legacy. Once a food-deficient nation, India is now food-secure and the world’s eighth-largest agri-exporter. Yet it remains deeply protective of its smallholder farmers, who average less than a hectare of land each. In contrast, American farms sprawl over 46 hectares on average.
According to BBC’s Soutik Biswas, the weighted average tariff India imposes on U.S. farm goods is 37.7%, while U.S. tariffs on Indian goods average only 5.3%.
Experts argue that exposing Indian agriculture to U.S. imports would devastate rural livelihoods. "We must not open our food system to American agribusiness," said Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). “Our small farmers cannot compete with subsidized, commercial-scale U.S. farms.”
Trade economist Abhijit Das added, “This is not just about corn. It’s about policy autonomy, food sovereignty, and protecting our rural economy.” He warned against trade-offs that prioritize U.S. demands over domestic stability.
The bilateral farm trade between India and the U.S. stands at $8 billion. India exports rice, shrimp, and spices, while the U.S. sends almonds, lentils, and apples. Now, Washington wants to push wheat, cotton, and genetically modified corn into Indian markets.
As the U.S. prepares to impose new tariffs on April 2, India is expected to negotiate strategically. Analysts suggest that India may offer trade-offs in sectors like manufacturing while keeping its farm sector insulated from liberalization pressures.
“Trump is holding up a mirror,” says trade expert Biswajit Dhar. “We need to modernize agriculture, but on our own terms—not because Washington demands it.”
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Date: 31-Mar-2025
The BSE and NSE are closed today in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Markets will reopen on April 1. Investors are advised to plan their trades accordingly.
Date: 02-Apr-2025
Sensex and Nifty opened sharply lower on April 1, 2025, as investors reacted to US President Trump's reciprocal tariffs taking effect from April 2. IT, financial, and metal stocks led the decline in early trade.
