Why Did the White House Quietly Revise the India-US Trade Fact Sheet? Here are the Key Updates You Should Know

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The White House has revised its official fact sheet regarding the historic interim trade agreement with India in a quiet yet significant mid-week update. The Oval Office walked back on several key claims that had initially alarmed Indian policymakers and domestic stakeholders.


The US government removed mentions of lowering taxes on certain food items. It has also changed the description of a $500 billion purchase plan from a ‘commitment’ to an ‘intent’. These changes help the document match the real agreement made between the two countries on 6 February.

Decoding the Core Facts: Pulses, Purchases, and ‘Intent’

The first fact sheet came out on 9 February 2026, causing worry in India as it mentioned lowering taxes on US imports of certain pulses, like lentils and chickpeas. India is a top producer of these crops, and this initiative could hurt local Indian farmers. The new version of the document has removed the word ‘pulses’ entirely, bringing the focus back on other items like nuts, soybean oil, and fresh fruits.

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The White House also changed how it describes a massive $500 billion deal for American energy and tech. As reported by The Hindu, "The revised fact sheet issued Tuesday (10 February 2026) removed the reference made regarding pulses and changed the word committed used for India to ‘intends.’" This change is important. It shows that the deal is a goal for the future rather than a strict legal requirement. This also helps India keep control over its own buying decisions.

How the India-US Trade Deal Fact Sheet Revisions Shield Local Farmers and Big Tech

The removal of the Digital Services Tax (DST) section is a big win for India. The US initially mentioned that India would stop applying these taxes. However, the updated India-US trade deal fact sheet says India is ‘committed to negotiate’ these rules.

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India already stopped one type of digital tax in 2025, but other rules are still in place. As The Economic Times notes, "overseas digital firms continue to be taxed under the Significant Economic Presence (SEP) rules... which tax non-resident firms crossing revenue or user thresholds."

By changing the wording, India keeps its right to tax big tech companies like Google and Meta. This ensures that global giants pay their fair share, and it also helps local Indian tech companies compete on a level playing field.