Trade Deal Maintains Lemon Tariff

California lemon growers are getting clarity on a new international trade framework. This month, the United States and Argentina announced they had reached a deal on the Framework for a Reciprocal Trade and Investment Agreement, and for California citrus producers, the outcome preserves an important protection.

The finalized agreement preserves the existing 10 percent U.S. tariff on Argentine lemon imports, avoiding any tariff elimination or expansion that would have increased competitive pressure on California lemon growers. According to California Citrus Mutual, the agreement does not eliminate or reduce U.S. tariffs on Argentine lemons. Under the U.S. tariff schedule, Argentine products not explicitly exempted remain subject to an additional ad valorem tariff of up to 10 percent, and Argentina did not receive new preferential access for citrus products. They go on to say the outcome reflects sustained advocacy by the California citrus industry working with USTR and members of Congress to protect domestic growers. The agreement also strengthens U.S. leverage to challenge unfair trade practices while keeping additional enforcement tools fully intact.