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SKM Announces General Strike Against US-India Trade Framework Reducing Agri Tariffs to Zero

AgricultureEconomyIntl. RelationsSocial IssuesSUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingPrelims HighMains High
10 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:86% small and marginal farmers18% US tariffs on Indian goods50% import duty on apples25% concessional duty for New Zealand apples20% concessional duty for EU apples3.1% agricultural growth
Bodies:Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Farmer unions protest interim US-India trade framework, fearing it will open Indian markets to US agricultural goods, threatening domestic farmers and food sovereignty.

2.Key concerns include tariff reductions on US products (from 30-150% to zero), potential influx of GM crops and dairy, and the contradiction with earlier assurances that agriculture would be kept out of FTAs.

3.Examiners will test knowledge of trade policy impacts on small farmers, India's FTA strategy, and the socio-economic dimensions of agricultural liberalization.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Farmer unions under Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have called for a nationwide general strike on February 12, 2026, protesting the interim US-India trade framework. They argue the deal threatens India's agriculture, dairy, and rural livelihoods by opening markets to US agricultural products and diluting protections. This is a critical issue for exams covering trade policy, agrarian distress, and socio-economic impacts of globalization.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Protest DateFebruary 12, 2026
Protesting BodySamyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)
Small & Marginal Farmers86% of Indian farmers
US Tariff on Indian Goods18% (post-reciprocal tariffs)
Agricultural Growth Rate3.1% (current slowdown)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Protest Date: February 12, 2026
  • ›Protesting Body: Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)
  • ›Target this Data: 86% of Indian farmers are small and marginal.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is the protesting farmer union body.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The framework aims to reduce Indian tariffs on US agricultural products from 30-150% to zero.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for negotiating international trade agreements like the US-India framework?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the US-India trade deal framework protests:

1. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a nationwide general strike on February 12, 2026.

2. The framework commits the United States to eliminate tariffs on all Indian industrial goods.

3. Farmer unions argue the deal contradicts earlier assurances that agriculture would be kept out of Free Trade Agreements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what percentage of Indian farmers are classified as small and marginal?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary concern of Indian farmer unions regarding the reduction of non-tariff barriers in the US-India trade deal?

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