The US-India trade deal, announced by President Donald Trump about ten days ago, appears to still be evolving ahead of its expected signing in mid-March. The Trump administration has quietly updated its White House fact sheet after certain provisions — particularly those concerning pulses and a proposed $500 billion purchase figure — differed from the official US-India joint statement, leading to confusion and political criticism. The revisions suggest negotiations may still be underway, with India potentially securing adjustments.
The initial fact sheet stated that India would cut or remove tariffs on a broad range of American industrial and agricultural products, explicitly including pulses. Within a day, however, the language was modified and references to pulses were removed. Pulses remain a politically sensitive issue in India given the country’s large domestic production and consumption, making them a contentious point in trade discussions.
Earlier tensions over pulses had already featured in bilateral exchanges. Two US senators had urged Trump to press India on high import duties, while India’s tariff structure had been viewed by some as retaliatory following earlier US tariff measures. Recent reductions in duties were linked to the broader trade negotiations.
Another notable change involved India’s planned purchases from the United States. The earlier version described India as “committed” to buying more than $500 billion worth of American goods and services over five years. The updated text replaces “committed” with “intend,” softening the implication of a binding obligation. Mentions of agricultural goods were also removed, altering the interpretation of India’s responsibilities.
The fact sheet was also revised on the subject of India’s digital services tax. The previous wording indicated India would remove such taxes, although India’s official communications had made no such pledge. The updated version now refers instead to negotiations on digital trade rules addressing barriers and practices affecting digital commerce.
Digital services taxes generally target foreign technology companies generating revenue within a country without a physical presence. India had already withdrawn its equalisation levy on digital advertising earlier in 2025, a step seen as relevant to ongoing trade discussions.
These textual adjustments underscore how even minor wording differences in trade documents can carry significant diplomatic and economic implications. The revisions clarify that India has not formally undertaken commitments on pulses or guaranteed purchases of a fixed value.
One unresolved matter continues to attract attention: President Trump’s assertion regarding India’s future purchases of Russian oil. That issue, according to reports, remains under discussion and may be clarified as negotiations progress.
