The ‘Buy American Agreement’ — following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a trade agreement between India and the United States — has left Indian farmer leaders, farmers, and dairy producers deeply concerned.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): US President Donald Trump, on Monday, claimed under the India-US trade agreement termed the ‘Buy American Agreement’ that India would purchase $500 billion worth of goods. Additionally, statements from Brooke Rollins (US Secretary of Agriculture) about the benefits of this agreement for American farmers have sparked widespread concern among India’s agricultural and dairy producers.
Following President Donald Trump’s statement on the trade agreement, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins shared a post on social media, in which she wrote:
“Thank you @POTUS for ONCE AGAIN delivering for our American farmers.
New US-India deal will export more American farm products to India’s massive market, lifting prices, and pumping cash into rural America.In 2024, America’s agricultural trade deficit with India was $1.3 billion. India’s growing population is an important market for American agricultural products and today’s deal will go a long way to reducing this deficit.
America First victory on top of the dozens of deals for ag #FarmersWin #USIndiaTrade #RuralAmerica”
Read It:‘Buy American Policy’: India to buy $500 billion worth of American goods under trade deal
After Brooke Rollins’ statement, farmer union leader Rakesh Tikait expressed his concern on social media:
Tikait wrote that this is the biggest shock from the government for the country’s 70% population. The India-US agriculture trade agreement is almost complete, but concerns among Indian farmers about its long-term consequences have deepened even further. American agriculture receives heavy government subsidies, while Indian farmers are already struggling with costs, debt, and uncertain markets. Now, if cheap American agricultural products enter India, domestic crop prices will fall, MSP (Minimum Support Price) will weaken, and small and marginal farmers will suffer the most damage.
This deal is a step toward import dependency, corporate control, and weakening farmers’ bargaining power. It will not only affect farmers’ income but also increase risks to food security and the rural economy. Farmers are not against development.
However, any agreement made without the consent and protection of farmers cannot be in the farmers’ interest.