Earlier this week, the Almond Alliance, along with a coalition of agricultural organizations, sent a letter urging Congress to extend the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which expired on December 31, 2020. The GSP, the oldest and largest U.S. trade preference program, allows products from developing countries to enter the U.S. duty-free, helping to foster economic growth and stability while strengthening trade relationships with the United States.

GSP renewal is critical to maintaining competitiveness in global markets for the almond industry and U.S. agriculture. Without GSP authorization, beneficiary countries may turn to other trading partners that do not adhere to the same international trade rules and standards, putting U.S. exports at a disadvantage. The program has historically provided market access opportunities for American goods, helping to expand U.S. exports to key global markets.

The Almond Alliance supports the reauthorization of the GSP to ensure that U.S. agriculture, particularly California almonds, can continue to thrive in international trade. The lack of GSP renewal creates unnecessary uncertainty for U.S. exporters and risks diminishing the global competitiveness of the American agricultural sector.