USDBC Scores Two Policy Victories

Despite the challenging times ahead, USDBC continues to focus on a robust trade policy agenda dedicating time and effort to ensuring a level trade playing field for U.S. dry bean exports. One of the most frustrating policy issues the industry has faced over the last four years is the imposition of 25% retaliatory duties on all dry bean imports to the EU and the UK. The EU tariffs were removed as of January 1, 2022, but the tariffs remained in place in the UK. However, in line with a spirit of rapprochement between the U.S. and Great Britain and an agreement on steel trade, the UK retaliatory tariffs were lifted last week and there is even talk of restarting engagement on a U.S./U.K. trade agreement. This is very welcome news for the U.S. dry bean industry as the U.K. is the third-largest export market for U.S. dry beans within Europe and is primed for growth with a strong interest in vegan and plant-based eating. A recent trade team visited with UK buyers this past February to discuss business and future trade ties. We are sincerely grateful to the U.S. government, specifically the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce, for their work to finally end retaliatory tariffs on imports to the U.K.

Separately, last month, the Philippines Government through their Customs Bureau, announced a new rule requiring the fumigation of shipments prior to entry at the destination port. This has never been required in the past and would bring additional cost and time implications that could complicate exports, creating a new non-tariff barrier to trade. As a result of the diligence and hard work of USDBC’s Southeast Asia office (Agrisource) together with support from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service office in Manila, we were successful in communicating the complications of this new requirement and it was canceled before it could even be implemented.  The work of preventing barriers to trade is a team effort and requires dedication and patience. We are grateful for these two new developments to enhance or prevent the disruption of the dry bean trade.