India's Farmers Block Highways, Fearing U.S. Trade Deal Will Crash Crop Prices

India's Farmers Block Highways, Fearing U.S. Trade Deal Will Crash Crop Prices New Delhi — Indian farmers have launched major protests, using tractors and trucks to blockade highways around the capital, fearing a new trade agreement with the United States will flood the market with cheap imports and destroy their livelihoods [75183]. The protests, which included a nationwide strike, center on concerns that the deal could force India to lower import taxes on American agricultural goods. Farmers and trade unions argue this would allow subsidized U.S. produce to undercut local prices, threatening the income of millions [75183]. A specific fear is that the agreement could undermine India's system of minimum support prices, where the government buys key staples like wheat and rice at guaranteed rates [73750]. While the Indian government states the trade pact includes safeguards for the agriculture sector, protest leaders express deep distrust [75183]. They are demanding the government reject the deal entirely, arguing it favors American corporate interests over Indian farmers [75183]. The demonstrations highlight the tense balance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration must strike between strengthening international trade ties and maintaining domestic stability, with the powerful farming community being a crucial voting bloc [73750]. Police have heightened security at key entry points to New Delhi as negotiations between farmer unions and government officials continue [73750]. Indian Farmers Strike, Fearing U.S. Trade Deal Will Flood Market India's Farmers Protest as Modi-Trump Trade Pact Threatens Key Crop Prices