USTR Declined to Open Section 301 Investigation for Mexican Produce

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will not initiate a Section 301 investigation on Mexican produce exports, it announced Oct. 23, at the deadline for the decision.

Most of the Florida delegation requested the investigation, saying Florida producers needed relief (see 2209090052 because, they said, the Mexican government subsidized the expansion of Mexican growers' export-oriented crops. Other members of Congress argued the petition had little evidence to back it up, and that any such investigation could trigger retaliation against U.S. agriculture (see 2210210043).

The announcement said that USTR "could not conclude in the 45-day statutory period that a formal 301 investigation would be effective," but also said: "The Biden Administration recognizes that Southeast producers have faced challenges, which have only intensified since Hurricane Ian made landfall earlier this month. USTR will establish a private-sector industry advisory panel to recommend measures to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the southeastern United States. USTR and USDA will work with the advisory panel and Members of Congress to develop possible administrative actions and legislation that would provide real benefits to this struggling industry."

The office of Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio did not respond to a request for comment by press time.