Exporters cheer trade deal, farmers fear U.S. imports
The new India U.S. trade deal has brought mixed feelings across the country. While exporters of farm goods and seafood say they can finally breathe easy, many farmers and trade unions are angry and worried. They fear the deal could open the doors to cheap U.S. crops and hurt Indian livelihoods.
Exporters of agricultural products, fisheries, and seafood welcomed the announcement. For months, they have struggled due to high tariffs imposed by the United States. These tariffs made Indian goods expensive and less competitive in the U.S. market. With the new deal, many of these duties are expected to come down, giving exporters fresh hope.
Seafood exporters, in particular, sounded relieved. “We are back in the business now,” said Alex Ninan of the Seafood Exporters Association of India. He explained that the past year had been very hard for exporters who depend heavily on the U.S. market.
According to industry data, seafood exports from India fell sharply between April and November 2025. In value terms, exports dropped by 6.3 percent compared to the same period last year. In quantity, the fall was even bigger, almost 15 percent. Industry leaders blame this decline on the steep U.S. tariffs that went up to 50 percent from August 2025.
G. Pawan Kumar, president of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, said these high tariffs pushed many buyers away. “Our products became too costly. Orders slowed down. Some exporters had to cut back work,” he said. Many small exporters were hit the hardest, as they had fewer markets to turn to.
With the new trade deal, tariffs on Indian seafood are expected to fall to around 18 percent. This change has lifted spirits across the industry. Mr. Kumar said exporters are confident that shipments to the U.S. will rise again. “We believe exports will increase and slowly reach earlier levels,” he said. He added that stable trade rules are very important for planning and investment.
Other farm product exporters also share this feeling. Those dealing in rice, spices, and processed food items say lower tariffs could help them regain lost ground. Some exporters said they had already started getting fresh inquiries from U.S. buyers after the deal was announced.
However, the mood is very different among farmers. Many are deeply worried about what the deal might mean for them. Farmer groups fear that the agreement could allow more imports of U.S. crops like soybean, cotton, maize, and wheat. They say these crops are often heavily subsidized in the U.S., making them cheaper than Indian produce.
“If cheap imports come in, how will Indian farmers survive,” asked a farmer leader from Maharashtra. He said local farmers already struggle with rising input costs and low market prices. “We cannot compete with big American farms. This deal feels unfair,” he added.
Trade unions have also raised strong objections. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or SKM, criticised the idea of allowing zero percent import tariffs on U.S. goods. In a statement, the group called it a surrender to U.S. imperialism. They warned that such a move would devastate Indian farmers and damage local industries.
Union leaders said the impact would not stop with farmers alone. They fear job losses across the rural economy if domestic production falls. “When farmers suffer, workers suffer too,” said a trade union member. He added that food security could also be at risk if India depends more on imports.
Some economists say both sides have valid concerns. They point out that India needs export growth to earn foreign exchange and support jobs in sectors like seafood processing. At the same time, they say farmers need protection from sudden import shocks.
“The key question is how the deal is implemented,” said a trade expert. He explained that safeguard measures and clear limits on imports could help balance interests. Without such steps, tensions are likely to grow.
The government has tried to reassure farmers. Officials said no decision has been taken yet on allowing unrestricted imports of sensitive crops. They said India’s interests would be protected and that talks are still ongoing on several details of the deal.
Still, trust remains low. Farmer groups say they were not properly consulted before the announcement. They have demanded full transparency and public debate. Some have warned of protests if their concerns are ignored.
On the ground, reactions remain divided. In coastal states like Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, seafood exporters are hopeful again after months of losses. Processing units are planning to increase shifts if orders pick up. Workers in these units say they are glad to hear positive news after a tough year.
In farming regions, however, anxiety runs deep. Many farmers say they already face debt and unstable incomes. The thought of competing with imported crops has added to their stress.
The India U.S. trade deal has clearly opened a new chapter. For exporters, it brings relief and a chance to recover. For farmers, it raises fears about the future. How the government handles these concerns will decide whether the deal becomes a success story or a source of deeper conflict.