U.S. asks Dominican Republic to repeal decree imposing tariffs on imported rice
The United States has asked the Dominican Republic to repeal Decree 693-24, a measure that imposes tariffs on imported rice and was adopted by the government to protect domestic production and food security.
The request was made during talks on the bilateral tariff agenda between the two countries, which began September 9. The discussions were led by Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Jeffrey Goettman, and Ambassador Julie Callahan, chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
According to the USTR, repealing the decree would help the Dominican Republic comply with its market-access commitments under the CAFTA-DR, particularly those related to U.S. rice.
Decree 693-24, issued on December 17, 2024, established a 20% tariff on rice imported within the authorized quota. Once that quota is exhausted, additional imports are subject to a 99% tariff.
The Dominican government justified the measure on the need to protect the country’s domestic rice production and food security, arguing that maintaining productive capacity is essential to guaranteeing a stable and secure food supply.
The decree followed Conassan Resolution No. 07-2024, which recommended that the government adopt special measures to protect rice as a sensitive product and safeguard national food sovereignty.
The government also highlighted the importance of rice production to the country’s economy, particularly in the 21 provinces involved in rice cultivation.
The U.S. request to repeal the decree now places the country’s rice import policy at the center of the ongoing Dominican Republic-U.S. trade discussions, with the measure potentially affecting market access for American rice under CAFTA-DR.
Earlier this week, Ambassador Goettman and Ambassador Callahan met virtually with Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó of the Dominican Republic.
The Ambassadors noted the opportunity to strengthen our countries’ bilateral economic relationship and highlighted the importance of…
— United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) September 11, 2026
Don’t submit to the pressure Minister Bisono. This is the exact same tactic the Clinton administration used to destroy Haiti’s domestic rice production just decades ago. Don’t let history repeat itself.
They raise tariffs on us and want us to drop ours. Of course luisa will do it because they will send him a check to his personal account.