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.

The following statement is attributable to Laura Shumow, executive director of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA):

“ASTA applauds President Trump’s new Executive Order providing the Administration flexibility in bilateral trade agreements to lower or remove tariffs on certain products, including those agricultural products that cannot be grown ‘in sufficient quantities in the United States to satisfy domestic demand.’ This is a greatly encouraging step that could signal tariff relief for unavailable natural resources, such as spices. While this Executive Order provides a promising path to reduce tariffs on spices that cannot grow in the U.S., the implementation still requires the completion of trade deals with key producing countries that specify these products. 

“Many essential spices, including cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla, require tropical conditions and cannot be cultivated domestically on a commercial scale. ASTA has worked closely with the Trump Administration in recent months to demonstrate that tariffs on these products do not stimulate U.S. production or create American jobs. Instead, they add financial pressure on U.S. food manufacturers, restaurants, and ultimately, consumers at a time many Americans are already struggling with high costs. 

“While the new Executive Order covers the vast majority spices, it appears that a few key spices were not named, such as sage, basil and mustard. ASTA hopes to continue to work with the Administration to modify the list as needed to cover spices and herbs that are not grown in sufficient quantities in the U.S. 

“ASTA supports the Administration’s America First trade policies and will continue collaborating with our partners in origin countries, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, to support negotiation of bilateral deals that promote U.S. competitiveness and provide special tariff considerations for spices. It is critical that these government stakeholders advance fair and balanced trade policies that reflect the realities of global supply chains and protect U.S. spice industry and other American businesses, while keeping kitchen staples like spices accessible and affordable for American families.”