WASHINGTON - Recently, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the rejection of the Section 301 petition, alternatively known as the Florida 301 petition. The office also announced it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In response to this news, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) applauds the USTR for its decision.
“The claim was meritless from the onset,” said Lance Jungmeyer, President of Nogales, Arizona-based FPAA. “USTR absolutely made the right decision to reject the baseless request from Senator [Marco] Rubio, who has made this an election-year issue.”
If the USTR had initiated a 301 Investigation that was not supported by facts that could have resulted in tariffs or quotas, continued the FPAA release, it could have drastically added to food inflation by increasing the price of fruits and vegetables. It would have also resulted in retaliatory tariffs or quotas on American farmers who export to Mexico.
For more information on the USTR outline, click here. To read more about FPAA’s response to the decision, click here.
AndNowUKnow will keep an eye on the wire for the latest.
