For Immediate Release
Contact:
Elizabeth Rivera, Director of Communications and Partnerships, National Association of Wheat Growers, (916) 217-2964, erivera@wheatworld.org
Steve Mercer, Vice President of Communications, U.S. Wheat Associates, smercer@uswheat.org, (913) 449-4134
U.S. Wheat Organizations Express Gratitude to the Government for Adjustments to Proposed Remedies
Washington, D.C. (April 17, 2025) – National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) extend thanks to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for targeting the proposed Section 301 actions regarding Chinese maritime practices in ways that protect U.S. farm commodity export competitiveness.
We appreciate USTR’s understanding of the impact the original proposals could have had on wheat growers and the grain trade. The uncertainty about the proposals was already causing problems for overseas customers, who were hesitant to make purchases with additional port fees looming.
“This move means a lot to farmers and customers around the world,” said USW Chairman Clark Hamilton, a wheat farmer from Ririe, Idaho. “We want to thank them for their efforts to balance the need for action against these Chinese maritime practices with the potential for harm to our export competitiveness.”
The U.S. wheat industry and its customers depend on ocean-going vessels, especially dry bulk carriers, and exports are vital to this sector. About half of the U.S. wheat crop is exported each year. The reconsideration of the proposal, which would have significantly increased export costs for U.S. wheat, is a welcome relief for our industry.
“Wheat growers appreciate USTR for taking this balanced approach and engaging with the agricultural community in finalizing this proposal,” said Pat Clements, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. “Ocean shipping is critical for U.S. wheat growers to move their crops to market, and this step helps maintain our global competitiveness.”
Each part of the U.S. wheat industry is committed to working collaboratively with the administration to find remedies to address China’s maritime dominance while also revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Again, USW and NAWG thank the USTR for considering concerns and feedback from the agricultural community and look forward to continued collaboration to ensure the U.S. wheat industry remains competitive and economically viable.
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