NEW DELHI: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for the immediate resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, accusing the government of misleading the public regarding the newly proposed trade framework with the United States.
The farmers’ collective alleges that while the Minister previously assured Parliament that agriculture and dairy sectors were protected, the finalized framework reveals a significant reduction or elimination of tariffs on U.S. agricultural imports. Leaders from the SKM warned that allowing duty-free access for U.S. cotton, fruits, and animal feed would devastate Indian livelihoods. In response, the SKM has announced a nationwide protest for February 12, coinciding with a general strike, and has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to refrain from signing the agreement.
A political firestorm has ignited following the unveiling of the India-U.S. Interim Trade Framework, as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) accused the Modi government of a “total surrender” to American corporate interests. The farmers’ collective has demanded the immediate resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, alleging he misled Parliament regarding the protection of India’s agricultural sector.
The “Give and Take” Deal
The framework, announced on February 7, 2026, aims to reset trade ties after months of friction. Under the agreement, the United States will slash its reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports—which had spiked as high as 50% following India’s purchase of Russian oil—down to 18%.
In exchange, India has committed to an unprecedented $500 billion purchase plan of American goods over the next five years, including energy, aircraft, technology, and coking coal. Crucially, the deal also opens the door for U.S. agricultural products to enter the Indian market with significantly reduced or zero duties.
The SKM, which led the 2020-21 protests against the now-repealed farm laws, claims the deal is a death knell for rural livelihoods.
Key areas of concern for the farmers include:
• Zero-Tariff Imports: The deal allows duty-free access for U.S. products like red sorghum and dried distillers’ grains (DDGs) for cattle feed, which the SKM fears will lead to a monopoly by U.S. multinationals.
• Cotton and Dairy: Farmers in Maharashtra and Gujarat warned that U.S. cotton imports would crash domestic prices, while dairy unions expressed outrage over the removal of barriers for milk products from animals potentially fed on meat-based feed.
• The “Traitor” Charge: The SKM has labeled Minister Piyush Goyal a “traitor” for allegedly promising Parliament that sensitive sectors were ring-fenced while signing them away in the final text.
Defending the pact, the government maintains that “staple” crops like wheat, rice, and maize remain fully protected. Minister Goyal stated that the deal opens a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters and MSMEs, particularly in the textile, leather, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Officials argue that the move to allow U.S. animal feed and certain fruits will actually lower inflation and benefit Indian consumers, while the $500 billion commitment secures India’s energy and technological future.
