By Karah Janevicius
USA Rice
Following meetings with Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), Panama has reopened its market for U.S. milled rice under the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). This milestone marks a renewed opportunity for U.S. rice while reinforcing trade ties after a protectionist trade agenda under the previous Panamanian administration. Since 2021, Panama has unilaterally converted the milled rice portion of the TPA’s tariff rate quota to rough rice and have only allowed rough rice to enter duty free.