White House Revises India-US Trade Deal Language in Updated Fact Sheet

The White House has updated the wording of its official fact sheet detailing the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), softening certain expressions related to India’s prospective purchases of American goods and refining references to agricultural imports.

The revised document replaces earlier assertive terminology with more tempered language, indicating a careful recalibration in how the proposed commitments are being publicly described.

From “Committed” to “Intends” — A Key Terminology Change

A central modification in the updated fact sheet is the shift in wording regarding India’s potential acquisition of US goods. The earlier version used the term “committed,” while the revised version adopts a more flexible expression.

The updated document states:

"India intends to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of US energy, information and communication technology, coal, and other products."

Previously, the fact sheet had used the word “committed,” which suggested a stronger or more binding obligation.

Why This Language Shift Is Important

In international trade negotiations, terminology is more than symbolic — it carries legal and diplomatic weight.

• The term “committed” generally conveys a firm or near-binding pledge.

• The term “intends” reflects a stated objective that remains subject to further negotiation and agreement.

By replacing the earlier wording, the White House appears to be emphasizing that discussions are ongoing and that final terms have yet to be formally concluded. The change suggests flexibility rather than a finalized obligation.

Structure of the Proposed Bilateral Trade Arrangement

The fact sheet outlines the framework of the evolving Bilateral Trade Arrangement between India and the United States. The agreement aims to:

• Broaden market access

• Address existing trade imbalances

• Reduce or eliminate tariffs

• Strengthen cooperation in digital trade

The two countries have been steadily expanding their economic engagement over the past decade, particularly as global supply chains shift and strategic partnerships gain importance in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposed agreement is positioned as a mechanism to deepen and formalize that economic cooperation.

Updates on Agricultural Trade and Pulses

Removal of Pulses From the Text

Another significant revision concerns agricultural imports. The updated fact sheet has removed the earlier reference to pulses and replaced broader language with more specific product listings.

The document now reads:

"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, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products,"

The previous version had mentioned tariff reductions on a broad group of agricultural goods, including "certain pulses".

The updated wording now refers more generally to “a wide range of” food and agricultural products while specifying certain categories.

Sensitivity Around Agricultural Policy

Agriculture remains a highly sensitive sector in India due to several structural and political factors:

• Protection of farmer incomes

• Food security considerations

• Price stability in domestic markets

• Concerns about reliance on imports

The omission of pulses from the revised document may reflect the complexity of negotiations in this sector and the need for careful alignment with domestic policy priorities.

Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers

In addition to tariff-related measures, the fact sheet reiterates India’s intention to address non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade. These barriers can include regulatory standards, procedural requirements, licensing norms, and other compliance-related issues that may hinder smooth trade flows.

Reducing such barriers is often as important as tariff cuts in modern trade agreements, as they directly impact the ease of doing business between countries.

Negotiations on Rules of Origin

Ensuring Trade Benefits Reach Both Countries

The document also highlights discussions on rules of origin — a key component of trade agreements. These rules determine:

• The country in which a product is deemed to be manufactured

• Eligibility for tariff concessions

• Mechanisms to prevent third-country circumvention

Clear rules of origin are essential to ensure that trade benefits accrue primarily to the participating nations rather than being indirectly routed through other jurisdictions.

Expanding Digital Trade Cooperation

The updated fact sheet places emphasis on digital trade collaboration between India and the United States.

It references efforts to establish:

• A strong bilateral digital trade framework

• Rules that facilitate cross-border data flows

• Safeguards against discriminatory or overly burdensome practices affecting digital commerce

As both countries continue to expand their digital economies — including sectors such as fintech, cloud services, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce — digital trade provisions have become a critical element of modern economic partnerships.

Strategic Context of the Negotiations

The evolving language in the fact sheet reflects the broader dynamics of US-India relations. In recent years:

• India has become an increasingly important strategic partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific.

• Cooperation has expanded across technology, defense, clean energy, and supply chain resilience.

• Trade discussions have aimed to balance expanded market access with domestic economic sensitivities.

The revised phrasing suggests that while both sides maintain ambitious goals, they are preserving room for negotiation and adjustment.

Conclusion: A Calibrated Communication Strategy

The White House’s updated fact sheet signals a shift in tone rather than a reduction in ambition. By replacing “committed” with “intends” and refining agricultural references, the administration appears to be aligning public language more closely with the evolving status of negotiations.

The proposed Bilateral Trade Arrangement continues to emphasize tariff reductions, agricultural access, digital trade rules, and the removal of non-tariff barriers. However, the revised terminology underscores that discussions remain in progress.

As talks continue, the eventual structure of commitments, implementation timelines, and sector-specific provisions will determine the long-term economic implications of the India-US trade partnership.