Corteva’s petition to place tariffs on 2,4-D herbicides from India and China continues to progress despite warnings from commodity groups.
The U.S. International Trade Commission agreed to advance a petition by Corteva Agribusiness on May 17, announcing its intentions to continue investigations after allegations that Corteva is being hurt by imports that are “allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China and India.”
The National Corn Growers Association said the decision will impact farmers.
“We are disappointed that ITC did not listen to the feedback from farmers about how harmful these tariffs could be to rural America,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “Corn prices are already low, and input costs have been rising. This decision will only compound our problems.”
Six of the nation’s major commodity groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission in April encouraging it to vote against advancing a petition.
Growers have said the imports covered by this case are the major sources of supply other than Corteva, which is the only U.S. manufacturer, and that America’s farmers cannot rely upon a sole domestic supplier of 2,4-D to meet nearly all the market’s needs.
Corteva is the only U.S.-based 2,4-D manufacturer, producing the herbicide at its facility in Midland, Michigan.
“Duties on 2,4-D imports from the two countries would intensify what is already a difficult period for many growers as key input costs continue to increase,” NCGA adds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting record-high farm production cash expenses for 2024. At the same time, crop values are declining. USDA projects total cash receipts for crops in 2024 will be 11.7 percent lower than 2022.