WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA) delivered an official letter to President Trump requesting tariffs on rice imports from India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
“Our American rice farmers and mills contribute more than $34 billion to the U.S. economy through jobs, investment, and sales to produce and process high-quality, safe rice,” wrote the lawmakers. “However, this vital industry is being displaced by heavily subsidized rice from India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Pakistan, both here at home and abroad. Even more concerning is imports of foreign rice into the U.S. have doubled in the last decade with a record $1.5 billion in 2024. These imports have displaced one-for-one purchases from rice mills in the mid-South and California as well as pressured lower prices.”
The letter continues, “Until legal and fair trade practices from these countries occur, we respectfully urge your administration to use tools at your disposal, including levying tariffs up to 100% on all Indian, Thai, Chinese, Pakistani, and Vietnamese rice imports to help encourage a level playing field for U.S. rice farmers and processors.”
Read the full letter here.
