India-US Trade Pact: Agri, Dairy Interests Fully Protected, Says Goyal

• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirms India's sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors are fully protected in the upcoming trade pact with the US.
• US President Donald Trump announced a tariff cut to 18% from 50% for India, with a joint statement detailing the pact expected soon.
• The agreement will open significant opportunities for Indian labor-intensive sectors like textiles, plastics, apparel, leather, and gems & jewelry.
• Import duties on many Indian goods in the US market will reduce to 18%, giving India an advantage over competitors like China and Vietnam.
• India will grant duty concessions in certain areas, while sensitive sectors like dairy, rice, and wheat remain outside the agreement's scope.

Why It Matters: India secured a trade deal with the US, protecting sensitive sectors while boosting labor-intensive exports.