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Almond industry urged to strengthen trade advocacy amid shifting U.S. policies

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, a seasoned agricultural trade consultant with a history of serving as the assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs from 2011-2020, has called on the almond industry to intensify its efforts in educating both the new federal administration and international leaders on the advantages of trade for producers.

With the California almond industry, which accounts for approximately 78% of the global almond production and exports about 70% of its yield, facing a landscape of both challenges and opportunities under the potential return of Trump's administration, the emphasis on strategic trade engagement is underscored. Lauritsen highlighted the shift in trade policies since 2017, focusing on domestic priorities and the reduction of trade deficits, which now threatens to impose high tariffs on key markets for U.S. almonds including China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.

The potential for retaliatory measures from China poses a risk to U.S. agriculture, urging the almond sector to leverage the situation by utilizing tariffs as negotiation tools for better trade agreements and advocating for a reformed dispute resolution process within the World Trade Organization. Lauritsen advises the industry to compile a comprehensive list of trade priorities, engage in fact-based advocacy with U.S. and foreign officials, and explore avenues to mitigate the impact of trade disputes.

The Almond Board of California, backed by a $7.25 million grant from the USDA, is spearheading efforts to expand market access in India and explore new opportunities in markets like Morocco and Turkey. Concurrently, the Almond Alliance focuses on domestic policy initiatives, including the reauthorization of trade preference programs to bolster U.S.-developing country trade relations. The Almond Board's strategy to navigate tariff and technical barriers, coupled with international engagement, exemplifies the industry's proactive approach to sustaining its global market presence amidst evolving trade policies.

Source: FarmProgress

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