On a hot afternoon at Delhi’s Vanijya Bhawan in 2025, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal faced tough questions from journalists after the US slapped 50% tariffs on India. Mr. Goyal said any future trade deal must be "mutually beneficial, reciprocal and equitable." The government is examining the situation carefully amid protests in Parliament. The opposition demanded an immediate statement as Parliament’s Monsoon Session saw loud disruptions. Mr. Goyal assured lawmakers the government would safeguard national interests before leaving the House amid continued uproar. Piyush Goyal, a chartered accountant and seasoned BJP leader, has handled multiple portfolios including Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Coal since 2017. He became Finance Minister in January 2019 when Arun Jaitley went abroad for medical treatment. Breaking conventions, Mr. Goyal announced key farmer-friendly measures like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and income tax exemption for incomes up to ₹5 lakh during the interim Budget. Now, with the new US trade deal drawing criticism as one-sided, Mr. Goyal is again at the forefront reassuring farmers. He stated in a recent interview with The Hindu, "Not a single farmer has anything to worry about." However, he declined to comment on US President Trump’s claim that India would stop buying Russian oil, saying, "I don’t deal with that subject. It is not part of my joint statement or the trade deal." Mr. Goyal also played a key role in negotiating with protesting farmers during the 2020-21 farm law protests. The trade deal will test his ability once more to protect farmers’ interests while managing complex ties with the US.