Multi-Industry Letter on East Coast-Gulf Coast Port Labor Negotiations

On November 3, 2025, ASTA submitted comments in response to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)’s formal review of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The comments strongly support continuation of USMCA and highlight the importance of duty-free movement of spices and spice-containing products across North America. ASTA urged USTR to maintain seamless cross-border trade, avoid rule-of-origin changes that could unintentionally disrupt global spice sourcing, and incorporate all Annex III spices into USMCA to preserve long-standing duty-free access.

ASTA signed onto a coalition letter from multiple industries to President Biden in June 2024 urging him to work with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to resume contract negotiations and ensure continued port operations and cargo fluidity.