Goyal dismisses opposition concerns over India-US trade deal

A trade pact critics called risky just got spun as a power move, with tariff cuts and sector shields framed as India playing hardball.

India-US interim trade deal defense

• Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal brushed off Opposition heat.
• Goyal argued India bargained as a 4 trillion dollar economy.
• He insisted that self-reliant sectors stayed ring-fenced.
• Sovereignty, he claimed, was never put on the table.

Tariff shifts and sector impact

• The United States trimmed duties on Indian exports to 18 percent.
• China faces 35 percent, while Bangladesh and Vietnam sit at 20 percent.
• Several Indian industries reportedly get zero tariff access.
• Cotton producers, Goyal said, should see rising demand.

Agriculture carve-outs and imports

• Sensitive crops like rice and wheat were kept outside the pact.
• Dairy, poultry, and meat received no US duty breaks.
• Selective access covers walnuts, pistachios, and certain wines.
• Boeing aircraft imports may reach 100 billion dollars.

Budget 2026 27 pitch

• Union Budget 2026 27 was framed as a Viksit Bharat roadmap.
• Goyal linked it to 2047 and the development of a nation's ambitions.
• Infrastructure spending is aimed at cutting logistics costs.
• Nagrik Devo Bhava was cited as the guiding theme.