New Delhi — In a major and surprising pivot, U.S. President Donald Trump has rolled back reciprocal tariffs on more than 200 food and agricultural products, offering a much-needed sigh of relief for Indian exporters. The move, announced in a November executive order, comes amid mounting political pressure in the United States over rising grocery prices and follows a sharp backlash against his earlier tariff policy.
Key Indian exports such as tea, spices, cashew nuts, coffee, and essential oils are now exempt from what had been steep duties, previously as high as 50 percent.
The revised list, effective November 13, includes spices like turmeric, cumin, and cardamom, as well as tropical fruits and processed products like mango pulps.
Trade analysts and government officials in India say the rollback could benefit around $1 billion in exports out of the country’s roughly $5.7 billion in agricultural exports to the U.S. last year.
Ajay Sahai, from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, sees potential for higher-value and specialty products to regain traction.
Still, the relief is partial. Billion-dollar staples such as basmati rice and seafood remain outside the exemption.
Exporters warn that logistical hurdles, high freight costs, and strict U.S. quality standards could limit the upside.
The tariff rollback also carries broader political significance: it may ease some of the strain in escalating U.S.-India trade negotiations, where New Delhi has insistently defended its agricultural and dairy sectors as “non-negotiable.”
While the decision signals a temporary thaw, many in India’s farm export sector remain cautious, noting that true market recovery will depend on more than just duty cuts, it will require sustained demand, competitive pricing, and smoother supply chains.
