Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic Moves Ahead with Measures to Protect Its Rice Industry from US Competition under CAFTA-DR

On December 17, 2024, the Dominican Republic issued Decree 693-24, to limit rice imports into the country. The Decree establishes a quota of 23,300 metric tons (MT) for U.S. rice, subject to a 0 percent ad valorem tariff. Imports of U.S. rice exceeding that quota may use the WTO quota of 17,810 MT subject to a 20% ad valorem tariff. Outside of these two quotas, U.S. rice will face a 99 percent tariff. These restrictions appear inconsistent with the duty-free and unlimited access U.S. rice was set to enjoy in the Dominican Republic beginning January 1, 2025, under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The Decree is grounded in Law 75-24, which grants the Dominican Government's National Council for Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Security (CONASSAN) authority to regulate imports of "sensitive products" for national security purposes.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.