Fresh tensions have emerged in bilateral trade relations between the United States and the Dominican Republic, as Washington has formally called on Santo Domingo to scrap a controversial new tariff regime for imported rice that the Caribbean nation enacted to shield its domestic agricultural sector and shore up national food security. The demand was tabled during ongoing high-level negotiations over the two countries’ bilateral tariff agenda, which kicked off on September 9. Leading the discussions from the Dominican side was Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Deputy Trade Representative Jeffrey Goettman and Julie Callahan, the chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). A virtual meeting between the three officials was held earlier this week, as confirmed by an official USTR social media post dated September 11, 2026. Per USTR’s position, rolling back Decree 693-24 is necessary for the Dominican Republic to uphold its market access obligations under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), specifically the commitments that grant U.S. rice preferential access to the Dominican market. Enacted by the Dominican government on December 17, 2024, the decree puts in place a two-tiered tariff structure for imported rice: a 20% levy applies to all rice imports brought in within the authorized import quota, and any shipments that exceed the quota face a steep 99% tariff. Dominican officials have stood firmly behind the policy, framing it as a critical measure to protect the country’s local rice production industry and preserve long-term food security. Santo Domingo argues that retaining robust domestic productive capacity is non-negotiable for ensuring a consistent, reliable food supply for its population. The policy did not come out of nowhere: it was preceded by Conassan Resolution No. 07-2024, which formally recommended the government implement special protective measures for rice, classified as a strategically sensitive product, to defend the country’s food sovereignty. The Dominican government has also emphasized the outsize economic importance of domestic rice cultivation, which supports livelihoods across 21 of the country’s provinces where rice is the primary agricultural crop. The U.S. demand to repeal the decree has now pushed the Caribbean nation’s rice import policy to the forefront of ongoing trade negotiations, with the outcome set to shape the future of U.S. rice access to the Dominican market under the terms of CAFTA-DR. Both sides have reiterated a shared commitment to strengthening overall bilateral economic ties through the talks, but the disagreement over rice tariffs remains a major sticking point that threatens to derail progress on other trade agenda items.
U.S. asks Dominican Republic to repeal decree imposing tariffs on imported rice
