USA: Uncertainty Remains Amid Trump Tariff Rollout
On February 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. On February 3, as Canada and Mexico were preparing retaliatory measures, Trump agreed to postpone implementation of the tariffs on both countries for at least 30 days. The tariff on China went into effect on February 4 and China announced a series of retaliatory tariffs. Trump later ordered a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all countries that will come into effect on March 12, raising the specter of further retaliatory measures.
INC members are invited to consult our overview of the tariffs in major nut and dried fruit importing countries in the members’ area of our website. (Login required.)
EU: Proposed Tariffs on Agricultural Products From Russia and Belarus
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus. If adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, the goods listed in Annex I of the proposal (including edible fruit and nuts under HS code 08) will be subject to an additional 50% ad valorem tariff customs duty on top of the applicable Common Customs Tariff rate.
EU-Chile: Interim Trade Agreement Enters Into Force
The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process.
The modernized trade agreement between the EU and Chile consists of two parallel legal instruments:
- The Advanced Framework Agreement, which includes a) the political and cooperation pillar, and b) the trade and investment pillar, subject to ratification by all EU Member States.
- The Interim Trade Agreement, which covers only those parts of the trade and investment pillar of the Advanced Framework Agreement that fall under the EU’s exclusive competence, and which was adopted via the EU-only ratification process.
While the Interim Trade Agreement is now in force, the Advanced Framework Agreement will enter into force once all EU Member States have completed their respective ratification processes. The Interim Trade Agreement will then cease to exist and will be replaced by the Advanced Framework Agreement.
EU-Malaysia: Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Relaunched
On January 20, 2025, the EU and Malaysia announced the resumption of negotiations towards a free trade agreement. Talks between the two parties had been on hold since 2012.
EU-Mexico: Conclusion of Negotiations on Modernized Global Agreement with Mexico
Political negotiations have concluded to modernize the Global Agreement between the EU and Mexico. According to a statement released by the EU, the agreement creates a framework to deepen and widen EU-Mexico political dialogue, cooperation and economic relations, and will create new economic opportunities for both sides, including growth potential for EU agri-food exports to Mexico.
USA: Brazilian Macadamias Granted Market Access Without Phytosanitary Certificate
The United States has approved the import of macadamias from Brazil without requiring a phytosanitary certificate, according to a statement published by the Brazilian government.