Chile asks US to exempt fresh fruit from proposed 12.5% tariff

Frutas de Chile has asked the US government to exclude Chilean fresh fruit from a proposed 12.5% tariff on Chilean goods.

The association presented its case to the Office of the US Trade Representative on 8 July, during hearings linked to a Section 301 investigation into forced labour in global supply chains. It said Chile supports stronger controls against forced labour, while stressing that its fruit export industry operates under international standards, traceability systems and regular audits.

Frutas de Chile argued that Chilean produce should be added to Annex A of the US proposal, which covers products eligible for tariff exemptions. The association said Chile supplies fruit during the Northern Hemisphere winter, when US production is low or unavailable.

It warned that applying the tariff could reduce fruit availability, increase price volatility and raise costs across retail, cold storage, transport and distribution.

source and photo: frutasdechile.cl