ANKARA, TURKEY – Earlier today, Presidential Decision 10435 was published in Turkey’s Official Gazette repealing the 2018 decision to impose retaliatory duties on certain imported goods – including rice – from the United States.  Effective this week, the repeal comes ahead of President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meeting at the White House, and restores a level playing field for U.S. rice exports in a key market for American rice farmers. 

The 25 percent tariff on U.S. rice had been in place since 2018 in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.  In late 2018, Turkey imposed a second round of 25 percent duties on U.S. rice for a total of 50 percent, before reducing back down to 25 percent in May 2019.  As a reminder, Turkey imposes Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs from all-origins on rough, brown, and milled rice at 34, 36, and 45 percents, respectively.  Periodically, Türkiye will reduce or eliminate the MFN rate for rice imports to support the import of the staple food product.  However, U.S. rice continued to face the retaliatory tariffs.  

“Turkey has been a longtime and reliable buyer of U.S. rice prior to the retaliatory measures and the decision to repeal the tariffs is welcomed news to our industry,” said Michael Rue, California rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Asia and Turkey Trade Policy Subcommittee.  “The removal of these retaliatory tariffs will allow U.S. rice to once again be able to compete on a level playing field.”

Following a trade mission to Istanbul last month, private importers expressed a sustained interest in U.S. rice while highlighting concerns for uncompetitive prices due to the retaliatory tariffs. 

“With the removal of these retaliatory tariffs, we are excited to finally have a level playing field with competing origins,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.  “USA Rice will continue to engage with local traders and conduct promotions for U.S.-grown rice in the market in Turkey to generate demand, highlighting the high-quality and sustainable product U.S. rice farmers have to offer.”

In 2024, the U.S. rice exports to Turkey valued nearly $15 million with an additional $9 million in tariffs being paid.

Ahead of the Trump–Erdogan visit this week, USA Rice continues to advocate for the removal of unjustified trade barriers on the White Tip Nematode, a pest also found in the domestic Turkish rice crop, which restricts consistent U.S. rice access from the U.S. South.

Published Date: September 23, 2025