U.S. Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Ken Calvert, both Republicans representing California, pushed to ensure that U.S. citrus products were included in the Trump Administration’s latest trade deal with China as well as in any agricultural product purchases made by China.
The congressmen were joined by U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) in penning an Oct. 29 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer regarding U.S. citrus access in China.
In a separate statement following the letter, Rep. McCarthy noted that China has been a top export destination for California’s citrus. “Unfair Chinese tariffs on our country’s fresh citrus, however, have unfortunately caused devastating implications on California fresh citrus producers who anticipate losses of more than 50 percent in exports to China and Hong Kong this upcoming shipping season,” he said.
The congressmen noted their support of what the Trump Administration calls the first phase of a trade deal with China, which was announced earlier this month. Under the agreement, Beijing will make concessions on intellectual property, financial services, and agriculture. In return, the United States agreed not to implement the proposed tariffs on Chinese goods on Oct. 15.
Rep. Calvert said the Chinese tariff imposed on the U.S. citrus industry is approximately 75 percent. “As a result, citrus producers, which are predominantly from California, are experiencing tremendous difficulty selling their products in one of their most significant export markets.”
“Along with my colleagues, I strongly encourage Trade Representative Lighthizer to advocate for relief from these harmful tariffs on American citrus as these trade talks continue,” added Rep. Calvert.
Rep. McCarthy said he would continue to work with the administration to curb China’s ongoing trade abuses and fight for access to China for U.S. agricultural products, particularly those from California.