Costa Rica: Costa Rica Slashes Rice Tariffs Again
Link to report:
On June 4, a Costa Rican court restored the Chaves administration's policy of dramatically lower tariffs on imported milled and rough rice, overturning an earlier court ruling that reversed the lower tariffs in April 2024. FAS/San José does not expect this stunning reversal to be the final word in this political tug-of-war, but the June 4 decision, once again, dramatically erodes the preferential rice access the United States negotiated in the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement 20 years ago. Earlier hopes for higher U.S. rough rice exports to Costa Rica in 2024 evaporated before a single shipment could reach Costa Rican ports.
