U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana is calling on President Donald Trump to prioritize improved market access for Montana pulse crop producers in any future trade agreements with India, citing recent tariffs that have placed U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage.
Daines, joined by Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, sent a letter to the president urging favorable provisions for pulse crops such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas as trade negotiations between the United States and India move forward. Montana is the nation’s top producer of pulse crops, while India is the world’s largest consumer, accounting for roughly 27 percent of global consumption.
The senators highlighted India’s decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on yellow peas, announced on Oct. 30, 2025, and implemented the following day. They argued the tariff unfairly disadvantages U.S. producers seeking to export to India, despite strong demand for high-quality American-grown pulse crops.
According to the letter, Montana and North Dakota together represent the leading pulse crop–producing states in the country, making access to international markets critical for farmers across the Northern Plains. The senators framed the issue as both an economic and strategic opportunity, noting that lowering trade barriers could strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two nations.
Daines and Cramer also pointed to past efforts on the issue, recalling that during President Trump’s first term they raised similar concerns during trade discussions with India. In 2020, Trump personally delivered their letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during negotiations, an action the senators said helped elevate the issue for U.S. producers.
The lawmakers argued that renewed engagement with India on pulse crop tariffs would benefit both American farmers and Indian consumers by increasing supply options and reducing costs. They urged the administration to press the issue directly with Indian leadership as trade talks continue.
Pulse crops represent a significant segment of Montana’s agricultural economy, with producers heavily reliant on export markets due to limited domestic demand. Indian trade policy, the senators noted, plays a major role in shaping global prices and market access for those crops.
By BSB Staff