USDBC Sends Letters to Cabinet Heads asking for Tariff Relief

Over the past months, USDBC has sent letters to Secretaries Vilsack (USDA), Raimondo (Commerce), and most recently Ambassador Tai (USTR) asking for relief from retaliatory tariffs for exports to the EU and the UK. Recently the US and the EU announced a tariff freeze in the Airbus/Boeing trade dispute, but the tariffs on dry beans date back to section 232 determination and are in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Since June 2018, U.S. dry bean imports to the EU and the UK face 25% retaliatory tariffs. As a result, U.S. competitiveness in these markets has eroded and market share growth has stagnated while overall dry bean demand increases.

USDBC’s letters have asked all three Cabinet Secretaries to consider; finding a resolution to the situation in the EU and the UK, and supporting efforts to remove dry beans from the retaliation list. USDBC members are also reaching out to their legislators to ask for assistance with this request. We understand that this issue is under consideration and that some kind of determination is being formulated but time continues to pass and we continue to face this significant trade barrier. Our market reps covering the EU and the UK have conducted outreach with the respective trade authorities and it is our understanding that the 25% retaliatory tariffs on dry beans will be removed once there is some kind of agreement to remove, reduce, or revisit the US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This is a top trade priority for the U.S. dry bean industry and we will continue to push for a resolution with the administration and legislators.