California Representatives Press USTR Over Turkish Almond Tariffs

Two House members from California asked the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to talk to Turkey about its new retaliatory tariffs on American almonds. In an Oct. 31 letter, Reps. John Duarte (R) and Jim Costa (D), called the tariffs "burdensome" and said they give Australia, Spain, Uzbekistan and Iran an "unjustified competitive advantage over US almonds in the Turkish market."

According to USDA,Turkey has had a 10% retaliatory tariff on U.S. almonds due to the U.S. 25% tariff on steel; it then raised its tariffs on almonds from any exporter to 15%, bringing the tariff on U.S. almonds to 25%.

"These tariffs will hurt our almond farmers in the Central Valley who produce nearly 80% of the global almond production, and help support the over 100,000 Americans that are employed in this industry. Together, we’re making sure Washington stands up for our farmers and our Valley," Duarte said in a news release.