Association Weighs In On Trade Barriers in Letter to USTR
Responding to the request for comments, the Association submitted a letter to the US Trade Representative (USTR) this past week outlining several major issues with regards to Significant Foreign Trade Barriers for the 2027 National Trade Estimate Report. In the October 30th letter, the Association highlighted both technical barriers and tariff issues as major areas of concern. On the technical barriers side, the Association highlighted concerns with the need for quality standards for pistachios in India and China, and the opposite where the standard is too strict for almonds in India. The Association also pointed to the very low mold tolerances in China and Japan, while expressing some concerns with new efforts in the European Union on ultra process foods and new packaging and sustainability efforts. On the tariff side, the Association voiced its concerns with tariffs in China and India. With more than 70% of California tree nuts being exported, these are important issues, and the Association took advantage of the opportunity to make the USTR aware of those concerns.