U.S. Pulses Absent from the EU Tariff List

U.S. Pulses Absent from the EU Tariff List

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
On Monday, November 9, 2020, the European Union published the list of U.S. products that will face a higher tariff in response to the WTO’s ruling on October 26, 2020, that allows the EU to place $4.0 billion per year of counter tariffs on U.S. products.

The European Union is an important market for U.S. lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans. U.S. exports of lentils range between 40,000 to 50,000 metric tons per year. U.S. exports of chickpeas range between 30,000 and 40,000 metric tons to the EU. While dry peas face no tariffs in the EU, U.S. Dry beans will continue to face a 25% tariff until the U.S./EU resolve the steel and aluminum tariff issue. Many thanks to our consultant in Brussels for this information.

The EU tariffs on other U.S. goods went into effect on November 10, 2020.

“The USADPLC would like to thank our customers in the European Union and the Global Pulse Confederation for working with us to remove lentils and chickpeas from the targeted products list for tariffs,” said CEO Tim McGreevy. This coalition filed a case with the EU DG of Trade arguing that the EU was “substantially dependent” on U.S. lentils and chickpeas. This effort contributed to keeping lentils and chickpeas off the list. “This was a significant victory for every lentil/chickpea producer and trade member in the United States. We commend the GPC’s leadership to work with its members to ensure free and fair trade of pulse crops around the world,” McGreevy concluded.

The Industry would like to thank Alex Rowlatt of Grayling and USADPLC Representatives Johanna Stobbs and David McClellan for working for the successful resolution of this issue. The USADPLC looks forward to sponsoring the GPC green lentil panel in December 2020.

The GPC provides an important link to international markets and market intelligence. Trade members of the APA and the USPLTA are encouraged to consider membership in the GPC.

Source: USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council

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