USTR requests the ITC start safeguard investigation for U.S. blueberries

09/29/2020 Washington, DC – United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today issued a request to the International Trade Commission (ITC) to initiate a Section 201 global safeguard investigation into the extent to which increased imports of blueberries have caused serious injury or threat thereof to domestic blueberry growers.

This is one of a number of actions announced in the Report on Seasonal and Perishable Products in U.S. Commerce jointly released by USTR, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce earlier this month.

“President Trump recognizes the challenges faced by farmers across the country, and today’s action is just one of a number of steps the Administration is taking to support American producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

USTR’s request includes all imports within the product descriptions under the following statistical reporting categories in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States:

0810400029 (cultivated blueberries, including highbush, fresh or chilled);
0810400026 (certified organic blueberries, fresh or chilled);
0810400024 (wild blueberries, fresh or chilled);
0811902024 (wild blueberry, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen);
0811902030 (blueberries, certified organic, cultivated (including highbush), uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen); and
0811902040 (blueberries, cultivated (including highbush), uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, NESOI, frozen).

The ITC will publish notice of the commencement of this proceeding in the Federal Register and will hold public hearings at which the ITC will afford interested parties and consumers an opportunity to present evidence or otherwise be heard. Further information regarding the investigation process—including applicable timelines—can be found in 19 U.S. Code § 2252.

The full Report on Seasonal and Perishable Products in U.S. Commerce is available here.

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