U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, both Democrats, recently signed on to a bipartisan letter from 12 senators urging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to negotiate the lifting of a trade barrier, the Carlsbad Current-Argus reports.
The senators argued that rising imports from Mexico, Chinese tariffs and tree loss after Hurricane Michael strained U.S. pecan prices, and India’s growing middle class represented a market that could help minimize the economic damage.
“Gaining access to new markets for pecans will help stabilize the pecan markets while orchards are replanted, and a trade deal is negotiated with China,” read the letter.
Records show India charges a 36 percent tariff on pecan imports, while other tree nuts such as pistachios and almonds are charged tariff rates of 10 percent or less.
New Mexico became the largest pecan-producing state last year, after Hurricane Michael ravaged Georgia’s crop.
New Mexico was estimated to have produced about 90 million pounds of pecans in 2018, down about 2 million from 2017.
The pecan industry contributes more than $3.57 billion to the economies of the U.S.’ 15 pecan-producing states, with exports contributing about $1.25 billion in additional economic activity in rural America over the past decade, the senators’ letter said.
Trump did signal a purported allegiance with India during a rally on Sunday in Houston, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed a desire to work with the country on trade.
“We are working to expand American exports to India – one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.” Trump said.
Modi said he looked forward to negotiations with the U.S. in the coming years.