MEA says revised US factsheet mirrors ‘shared understanding’ on interim trade deal

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday underscored that revisions made to a United States factsheet on the proposed India–US interim trade pact are consistent with what both sides had already agreed upon, seeking to quell speculation triggered by differences between earlier versions of the document.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the joint statement issued earlier this month remains the guiding document for negotiations and reflects the mutually accepted framework that both countries are working to implement.

MEA flags alignment with joint statement

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"As you are aware, the India-US Joint Statement on the framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade was issued on February 7, 2026. The Joint Statement is the framework and remains the basis of our mutual understanding in the matter. Both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalising the Interim Agreement," Jaiswal said.

"The amendments in the US fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the Joint Statement," he added.

His remarks came after reports pointed out that the updated White House document diluted or removed certain claims that had earlier appeared more definitive than India’s official position.

Also Read: India set to get Bangladesh-style zero-duty access in US for cotton-based textile exports: Piyush Goyal

What changed in the US document

One of the most notable changes relates to language on India’s proposed imports. The earlier factsheet had said, "India committed to buy more American products and purchase over USD 500 billion of US energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal, and other products." In the revised version, this has been softened to say India "intends" to buy more American products, and the reference to “agricultural” items has been dropped.

The tariff section was also revised. In the earlier version, the document had said, "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." In the updated text, however, the reference to "certain pulses" has been removed.

Changes were made to the digital trade language as well. The initial factsheet stated, "India will remove its digital services taxes" and "committed to negotiate a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules that address discriminatory or burdensome practices and other barriers to digital trade." In the revised version, the line saying "India will remove its digital services taxes" has been dropped, while the commitment to negotiate digital trade rules has been retained.

Backdrop: Interim deal and tariff arrangement

India and the United States had earlier announced a framework for an interim reciprocal trade arrangement while reaffirming their commitment to a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025.

Under that framework, India agreed to cut or eliminate tariffs on US industrial goods and a range of American agricultural and food products, including dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, among others. In exchange, Washington will apply a reciprocal tariff of 18 per cent on Indian-origin goods across sectors such as textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, plastics and rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisanal products and certain machinery.

Also Read: India-US Interim Trade Deal: Zero duty for gems, pharma, agri exports; farmers fully protected, says Piyush Goyal

Textile sector concerns raised

Separately, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed apprehensions within the domestic textile industry following a recent US arrangement with Bangladesh.

Washington and Dhaka signed an agreement on February 9 that lowered reciprocal tariffs to 19 per cent from 20 per cent and granted zero-tariff access for select textile and apparel products made using US cotton and man-made fibre.

"India also has the same facility and India will also get it. Right now, our framework agreement is being made. When the interim agreement is finalised, then you will get to see this in the fine print," Goyal told reporters, as reported by ANI.