ASTA Letter to Congress on the Importance of Renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Trade Program

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.

ASTA issued comments to the U.S. Trade Representative in November 2008 regarding a review of action taken in connection with WTO dispute settlement proceedings on the European Communities' measures concerning meat and meat products related to paprika (dried, crushed, or ground).