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Panetta wants to protect garlic producers from tariff exploitation

September 23, 2019

California Congressman Jimmy Panetta introduced legislation Friday to "prevent harmful and unfair tariff engineering of Chinese dried garlic imports." While the U.S. levies a 30% tariff on dried garlic, loopholes allow for duties as low as 8% on other types of imported garlic.

Panetta said in a statement this has "allowed for Chinese garlic importers to disingenuously characterize their products."

The legislation would mandate that any mixtures of vegetables containing 50% or more of dried garlic remain under the dried garlic tariff.

Panetta's Central Coast district includes Gilroy, the self-described "garlic capital of the world." The latest crop report shows, however, Gilroy and Santa Clara County produce just 3% of the state's garlic sales, behind Fresno, at 68%, and Kern, at 29%.


Issues:Agriculture