ASTA Letter Opposing Expansion of Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs to Spice Imports

Tariffs on certain spices that can only be grown abroad – often called unavailable natural resources – could make these natural food ingredients less affordable and accessible for U.S. families. This document shares information on the benefits of spices and the key impacts on ongoing trade and tariff policy developments.

On March 11, 2025, ASTA submitted a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative in response to the administration's call for information on unfair and non-reciprocal foreign trade practices. ASTA’s submission emphasizes the critical role of imported spices in the U.S. food supply and urges the government to avoid imposing tariffs on spices that cannot be commercially produced in the U.S., noting that such measures will raise costs for American businesses and consumers. ASTA recognizes the importance of supporting U.S.-grown spices but provides a list of many spices that must be imported due to climate limitations in the U.S., requesting that no new tariffs be imposed on these spices. ASTA also calls for a tariff-exclusion request process to allow individual entities to request exemptions from any tariffs that may be applied on food or agricultural items.