Bayer is withdrawing its request that the Trump administration impose countervailing duties on glyphosate imports from China after backlash from the agriculture industry.
The parent company of pesticide giant Monsanto filed a petition last month with the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. International Trade Commission, arguing that Chinese competitors benefit from unfair pricing that hurts U.S.-based glyphosate producers including its Ruveon subsidiary.
“Since filing our petitions, we have engaged directly with farmers and agricultural trade associations to hear their perspectives,” Ruveon said in a statement Friday announcing the retraction of the petition. “Today’s decision reflects our commitment to putting farmers first and meeting their evolving needs, especially during this challenging farm economy.”
The initial request faced swift blowback from agriculture industry representatives who said imposing the duties would hurt farmers who have already been hit hard by high production costs.
