BISMARCK – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Steve Daines (R-MT) wrote a letter to President Donald Trump and Administration leaders urging them to fight for favorable pulse crop provisions during trade negotiations with India. Their letter comes amid reports that concessions made by India ahead of President Trump’s visit did not include such provisions.

“The most commonly consumed pulse crops in India are lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas, yet the Republic of India has levied substantial tariffs on American pulse crops,” the Senators wrote. “Engaging Prime Minister Modi on pulse crop tariffs as part of larger discussions to enhance the economic cooperation between our countries would be mutually beneficial to American producers and Indian consumers.”

Montana and North Dakota are the number one and two producers of pulse crops in the United States. India is the world’s largest consumer of pulse crops, contributing to approximately 27 percent of the world’s consumption.

Click here to read the full letter. 

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