Monsanto seeks duties on Chinese glyphosate imports

Monsanto and its subsidiary, Ruveon LLC, on Tuesdau filed a petition with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission seeking antidumping and countervailing duties on glyphosate imports from the People’s Republic of China.

U.S. commodity groups criticized the petition.

“The domestic glyphosate business as it stands today is not sustainable. This action is needed to support long-term U.S. production for American farmers,” Monsanto said, according to a report on AgWeb.

“Agricultural companies like to position themselves as a partner to American farmers,” said Jed Bower, Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association. “This is no act of partnership. They are taking this step purely for benefit of the company and its shareholders, once again at the expense of the American farmer and at a time when the ag economy is facing one of its most difficult periods in decades.”

NCGA noted, “Corteva Agriscience, in 2024, similarly petitioned the ITC for countervailing duties on imported supplies of 2,4-D, despite a lack of adequate domestic production capacity to fulfill the needs of American farmers. NCGA readily engaged in the process with the ITC and repeatedly voiced concerns that this action would increase costs for farmers already bearing the burden of record high input costs. The ITC ruled in favor of Corteva, proving that the impact to U.S. consumers is not a relevant factor in their deliberations.”

“What we are seeing is an increasing trend of companies abusing trade remedy laws to box out competition and corner more of the U.S. market, at great expense to their customers — the American farmer,” said Bower. “These industries are already highly concentrated, and CVD actions further threaten the availability of inputs and keep prices inflated.”

“At a time when producers continue to face tight margins and significant economic uncertainty exacerbated by rising costs, it is imperative that farmers have access to an affordable, reliable, and competitive supply of inputs they depend on to remain competitive in the global soybean marketplace,” the American Soybean Association said. “ASA is reviewing the petitions and evaluating the potential implications for soybean farmers. As this process moves forward, ASA will advocate for policies that protect farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools while maintaining a stable and affordable supply of agricultural inputs.”

National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer said, “Farmers need reliable access to affordable crop protection products and a competitive marketplace — not new trade barriers that could drive up costs. NAWG opposes tariffs and urges the ITC to fully consider the impacts on American farmers, rural economies and the U.S. food system.”