Wine and nut exporters in the US still face impacts of tariff fights

With the pandemic continuing to test supply chains, attention to ongoing trade conflicts may have taken a back seat. But tariffs affecting key California agricultural exports remain. As a result of a U.S.-China trade dispute triggered in 2018, Chinese retaliatory tariffs continue to impact a broad range of California agricultural exports. For example, exports of tree nuts and wine still face increased duties. This is despite implementation in 2020 of the Phase One U.S.-China trade agreement. Todd Meyer, sales and marketing specialist for Bear Republic Nut Co. in Chico, which markets almonds and walnuts, said concerns about the Chinese tariffs became less urgent last year because larger state crops for both nuts dropped prices "dramatically." The lower prices allowed Chinese importers to buy more nuts, even with the tariffs, he said. With anticipation of reduced crops for both almonds and walnuts this year, Meyer said importers may pull back as prices increase. "There might be more ...