ASTA Comments on USTR Section 301 Investigations on Forced Labor
In July 2026, the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding proposed tariff actions, tariff scope, and product exclusions under the Section 301 investigation into certain countries' failure to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor. ASTA emphasized the importance of ensuring that any resulting trade actions account for the unique characteristics of global spice supply chains and preserve access to spices that are unavailable from U.S. sources.
07/07/2026 at 12:00 am
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Related Resources
ASTA Statement on New Executive Order on Reciprocal Tariffs - September 7, 2025
See ASTA's response to the Trump Administration's September 5 Executive Order, which provides a framework to reduce or remove tariffs for unavailable natural resources, including spices, in trade deals.
ASTA Letter to Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Requesting Consideration of Spices in Trade Policy
On August 12, 2025, ASTA sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative asking that consideration be extended to agricultural commodities, such as spices, that cannot be grown in the United State as trade policy advances, including ongoing bilateral negotiations.
