On October 27, 2016 NAEGA, along with the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and the American Soybean Association (ASA), submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for the annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). The NAEGA-NOPA-ASA comments highlight Argentina’s continued use of differential export taxes (DET) for soybeans and soybean products. As have been noted in previous NTE reports, Argentina’s export tax for soybeans is generally set at a higher rate than the sale price of the product, a policy that encourages domestic value-added production and discourages imports. This year’s comments to USTR highlight the continued use by Argentina of DETs and a 2013 U.S. Soybean Export Council commissioned report that highlights a $428 million benefit to U.S. industry to an end of Argentina’s DET policy for soybeans. The comments request that this year’s NTE conduct a comparative analysis of the barrier’s effect on a range of industries and conclude that immediate action must be taken by Argentina to eliminate its DETs.

A copy of the NAEGA-NOPA-ASA comments on the NTE can be found here. Please contact Gary or Ryan if you have any additional questions.