ASTA Statement on New Tariffs on Imported Goods
The following statement is attributable to Laura Shumow, executive director of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA)
“The U.S. spice industry appreciates the Administration’s efforts to strengthen the American economy and grow U.S. manufacturing and agriculture. We support a strong and fair U.S. trade policy and applaud the Administration’s focus on securing more equitable treatment for American exports. These initiatives are critical to ASTA members who make significant contributions to a healthy and safe food supply for U.S. businesses and consumers. Spices are essential ingredients in many grocery items and virtually every home cooked and restaurant meal.
“Despite the Administration’s best efforts to protect American interests, ASTA remains concerned about the unintended negative consequences new tariffs will have on our industry and American consumers. We reiterate our request that the Administration implement a tariff exclusion process and exempt spices that are not grown in the United States. Many spices—such as black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg—require tropical conditions and cannot be cultivated domestically on a commercial scale. As such, tariffs on these products do not incentivize U.S. production or create American jobs. Instead, they place a significant financial burden on U.S. food manufacturers, restaurants, and ultimately, American consumers.
“ASTA looks forward to meeting with Trump Administration officials and having a productive dialogue with key agencies on this important issue. We are eager to help ensure that U.S. trade policies do not unintentionally harm sectors that rely on goods unavailable in the domestic market. ASTA firmly believes there is a path to protecting the U.S. spice industry and other American businesses, while keeping costs down for American families who depend on spices as part of their daily diet. After all, ensuring access to safe and affordable spices directly supports the Make America Healthy Again initiative’s goal of promoting healthier eating among U.S. families.”
Related Resources
ASTA Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Against New Tariffs on Spices Not Grown in the U.S.
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 Statement on U.S.-Indonesia Trade Framework
ASTA's Executive Director issues a statement on the Administration's America First trade policy to negotiate and implement trade agreements that strengthen the American economy and promote U.S. competitiveness, such as the recent deal with Indonesia.
