ADVOCACY REPORT
The Impact of Trade Policies on Almonds President Donald Trump has taken significant steps to reshape U.S. trade policy through executive orders (EOs) that impose tariffs on key trading partners, including China, Canada, and Mexico. These recent trade actions mark a return to protectionist policies, which have historically led to retaliatory measures against U.S. agricultural exports. Such developments present immense challenges and long-term risks for the almond industry. It is crucial for stakeholders to stay engaged and proactive, applying lessons learned from the last trade war as we navigate these uncertain times.
In response to these economic setbacks, the USDA rolled out the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) to provide financial relief to affected farmers. Although the program offered some assistance, it was far from a comprehensive solution. Many almond growers struggled to access aid due to restrictive eligibility criteria, and the financial assistance provided was insufficient to cover the full extent of the losses. These shortfalls highlighted the urgent need for more robust trade mitigation strategies to safeguard American agriculture from the repercussions of international trade disputes. The Almond Alliance continues to engage actively with policymakers to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
President Trump’s current trade strategy focuses on using tariffs as a tool to address trade imbalances, secure better terms from trading partners, and bolster domestic manufacturing. In early 2025, the administration implemented significant measures, including 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, extensive import duties on Chinese goods, and new levies on products from Canada and Mexico. These actions echo similar strategies employed in 2018, which triggered retaliatory tariffs and resulted in substantial losses. A study from UC Davis estimated that between 2018 and 2022, the U.S. almond industry suffered nearly $880 million in lost exports due to retaliatory tariffs. 1
1 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics. California Agriculture: A Century of Change. University of California, October 24, 2022. https://s.giannini.ucop.edu/uploads/pub/2022/10/24/v26n1_1.pdf
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ALMOND FACTS
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