White House Quietly Revises India-US Trade Deal Fact Sheet, Drops 'Certain Pulses'
The White House has made significant, unannounced revisions to its fact sheet detailing the interim India-United States trade agreement, notably removing the reference to "certain pulses" among agricultural products slated for tariff reductions by New Delhi. This alteration comes just one day after the initial document was released unilaterally by the U.S. administration, sparking surprise and scrutiny from Indian observers.
Surprise Omission of Pulses from Updated Text
The mention of "certain pulses" in the original White House fact sheet, published on February 9, 2026, caught many in India off guard, as this specific item was conspicuously absent from the joint statement jointly announced by both nations on February 6. The initial fact sheet explicitly stated: "India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, certain pulses, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products."
However, the revised document, now available on the White House website, has been edited to read: "India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products." The deletion of "certain pulses" raises questions about the specifics of the agricultural concessions and whether this reflects a change in the negotiated terms or a clarification of the initial wording.
Softened Language on India's Purchase Commitments
In addition to the removal of pulses, the White House has also revised the language concerning India's commitment to purchasing American products. The original fact sheet from February 9 asserted that India "commits" to buying more than $500 billion worth of U.S. goods. This has now been toned down in the updated version to state that India "intends to buy" $500 billion worth of U.S. products.
The latest text specifies: "India intends to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of U.S. energy, information and communication technology, coal, and other products." This shift from a firm "commits" to a more tentative "intends to buy" may indicate a nuanced adjustment in the framing of India's obligations, potentially reflecting diplomatic sensitivities or ongoing negotiations. Such changes highlight the evolving nature of trade discussions between the two economic powerhouses.
Background and Implications of the Trade Framework
The revisions follow the announcement on February 6 of a framework for an interim India-US trade agreement, aimed at fostering reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The White House's initial fact sheet, released on February 9, outlined that New Delhi would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a broad spectrum of American industrial goods and agricultural products, including the now-removed "certain pulses."
The absence of pulses in the joint statement but their inclusion in the initial fact sheet had raised eyebrows, suggesting possible discrepancies in communication or negotiation details. The swift update to remove this reference underscores the delicate balance in trade talks, where specific product categories can carry significant economic and political weight, especially in agricultural sectors sensitive to both nations.
Analysts note that such revisions are not uncommon in high-stakes international agreements, as language is often refined to ensure clarity and alignment between parties. However, the quiet nature of these changes, without formal announcement, has drawn attention to the transparency and consistency of the deal's presentation. As India and the US continue to navigate their trade relationship, these edits may signal ongoing adjustments or highlight areas where consensus is still being solidified.
The broader context includes India's role as a major consumer and producer of pulses, making any tariff concessions a point of domestic interest. Meanwhile, the softened purchase commitment language could reflect India's strategic approach to balancing trade benefits with economic sovereignty. Observers will be closely monitoring further developments as the interim agreement progresses toward finalization.
