NABC advocates for trade agreements that are fair, enhance competitiveness for U.S. growers and ensure a reliable, year-round supply of fresh blueberries for our retail partners and American consumers. Working with the Trump administration’s trade team, the NABC is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate known barriers for U.S. growers’ export markets by being a constant source of substantive information.
NABC also works with our industry trade partners to educate the administration about the vital role counter-seasonal imports to the U.S. play in driving year-round consumer demand. A consistent retail presence of fresh blueberries is critical to making blueberries a household staple and supports the success of U.S. growers. Any trade actions that result in a decline in the consumption of healthy blueberries in the U.S. is not in the best interest of consumers, our industry or the economy.
NABC’s government affairs team is committed to being a reliable and steady source of information to the industry regarding new trade and tariff developments and the economic impact and consequences of trade actions.
Summary
Update (April 9): On April 9, President Trump announced on Truth Social a 90-day pause on country-specific reciprocal tariffs, except China, which is now subject to a 125% tariff. The universal tariff of 10% applies to all countries. Goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are still exempt from tariffs.
There is a 10% universal tariff on all imported products (effective April 5). For countries identified in Annex I of the Executive Order related to reciprocal tariffs, there is a specified individual tariff rate in lieu of the 10% universal tariff (effective July 8). The tariff on Mexico and Canada remains 0% for USMCA-compliant products.
U.S. Tariff Rate on Imported Blueberries:
| Country Partner | U.S. Tariff Rate |
| Canada | 0% |
| Chile | 10% |
| Mexico | 0% |
| Peru | 10% |
Quick Resources
- Reciprocal tariff schedule (April 2)
- Tariff breakdown by country (April 2)
- Reciprocal tariff fact sheet (April 2)
- Tariff Tracker (April 2)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection USMCA Webpage
Tariff Timeline
April 2
President Trump signs executive order related to trade and tariff reciprocity:
- A 10% tariff on all countries is effective April 5 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- The 10% tariff does not apply to USMCA-compliant goods imported to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, which remain subject to the Executive Order related to fentanyl and border security.
- Additional exemptions for specified products are listed in Annex II of the Executive Order.
- Individual reciprocal tariffs for countries listed on Annex 1 of the Executive Order are effective on April 9 at 12:01 a.m. ET. You can view a list of the reciprocal tariff schedule here.
Executive Order: Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trades Deficits (Reciprocal Tariff Order)
March 6
President Trump announces additional amendments to the February 1 executive orders, effective March 7 at 12:01 a.m. ET:
- Eliminates tariffs on those goods from Canada and Mexico that claim and qualify for USMCA preference. Blueberries are a USMCA-compliant product.
- 25% tariffs on goods that do not satisfy the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin.
- A lower 10% tariff on those energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference.
- A lower 10% tariff on any potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference.
The executive orders amend the original executive order dated February 1 related to duties to address the flow of illicit drugs from Canada and Mexico:
- Executive Order (Canada): Amendment to Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Northern Border – March 6, 2025
- Executive Order (Mexico): Amendment to Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Southern Border – March 6, 2025
March 2
President Trump signs an executive order to implement a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada effective March 4 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
The executive orders amend the original executive order dated February 1 related to duties to address the flow of illicit drugs from Canada and Mexico:
- Executive Order (Canada): Amendment to Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Northern Border
- Executive Order (Mexico): Amendment to Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Southern Border
February 3
President Trump announces a 30-day pause on the 25% tariff on products from Mexico and Canada.
February 1
President Trump signs an executive order to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China — 10% on all imports from China, and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, starting February 4 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- Executive Order (Canada):Imposing Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Northern Border
- Executive Order (Mexico): Imposing Duties to Address Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Southern Border
National Trade Estimate
In response to comments submitted by NABC, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) referenced specific challenges the blueberry industry is facing in Japan, South Korea and South Africa in the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report published on March 31.
NABC responded to USTR’s request for comment regarding unfair trade practices and non-reciprocal trade arrangements by highlighting additional barriers hindering U.S. blueberry growers’ exports to Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Africa, China, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
You can view our National Trade Estimate comments here, and our comments regarding unfair trade practices here.
NABC is in continual communication with USTR to ensure the blueberry industry’s trade priorities are considered in negotiations with key trading partners.
- On April 2, NABC sent a letter to USTR requesting that a future deal with Vietnam include the elimination of tariffs on U.S. blueberries.
- On April 7, NABC sent a letter to USTR requesting that a future deal with Japan include the elimination of the tariff on U.S. frozen blueberries.
International Response to U.S. Tariffs
We’re watching closely for announcements of new trade arrangements, countermeasures and retaliatory tariffs by our trading partners that may affect U.S. blueberry exports.
Here is a summary of reactions by the top export markets for U.S. blueberries:
| Country (Reciprocal Tariff Rate) | Country Response | Tariff on U.S. Blueberries (as of April 7) |
| Canada (N/A) Note – There is no tariff on USMCA-compliant products. For non-compliant products, the universal tariff applies. | Canada’s first tranche of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products remain in effect. Blueberries are not targeted in this action. Canada continues to consult on a product list for a second round of tariffs, to be enacted if the U.S. proceeds with tariffs. Blueberries are included in this list for consideration. | 0% on all forms (as of April 8) |
| China (125%) *Effective 4/9/2025 | The initial tariff on China was 34% (on top of existing tariffs). China responded by immediately imposing an equal 34% tariff on U.S. goods on top of existing tariffs. President Trump then countered with an additional 50% tariff, for a total retaliatory tariff of 104% effective April 9. | Fresh – 104% Frozen – 119% Dried – 114% |
| India (27%) | India is unlikely to respond with immediate retaliation and is instead prioritizing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. aimed at reducing tariffs, according to an Indian government official. | 10% on all forms |
| Japan (24%) | Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated, “Retaliating with our own tariffs is not in Japan’s best interest,” while noting that “there are many options” on the table. President Trump has tapped Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to lead trade talks with Japan. | Fresh – 0% Frozen – 6% (unsweetened) or 9.6% (sweetened) Dried – 0% |
Malaysia (24%) | Malaysia is not planning to impose retaliatory tariffs. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the country’s response would be “calm, firm and guided by Malaysia’s national interests,” adding that efforts to engage with the U.S. were already in progress. | 5% on all forms |
The Philippines (18%) | There has been no indication of a retaliatory response. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque stated that she is pursuing a meeting with her U.S. counterpart to explore ways to strengthen relations, and is actively advocating for a bilateral free trade agreement. | 7% on all forms |
South Korea (26%) | South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo spoke with President Trump on April 8 regarding tariffs, shipbuilding and a potential energy deal. The trade minister is scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, D.C. | 0% on all forms |
Taiwan (32%) | President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan has no plans to impose retaliatory tariffs and will instead work to address the issue through dialogue with the United States. He added that Taiwan-U.S. talks could begin with the goal of achieving “zero tariffs.” | Fresh – 7.5% Frozen – 8-10% Dried – 26% |
Thailand (37%) | Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will visit the U.S. soon, proposing increased imports of U.S. energy, aviation and agricultural goods, while curbing Thailand’s role as a transit hub for U.S.-bound shipments. | Fresh – 40% Frozen – 30% Dried – 40% |
Vietnam (46%) | Vietnam was one of the first countries to enter negotiations with the Trump administration and has suggested that a deal may include 0% tariff on U.S. goods. | Fresh – 15% Frozen – 30% Dried – 30% |