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.