Multi-Industry Sign On Letter on Generalized System Preferences (GSP)

ASTA signed onto a coalition letter from multiple industries to President Biden in September 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. This letter is a follow-up to a letter previously sent to President Biden on June 25, 2024.

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.