Government seeks to renegotiate DR-CAFTA with the United States over rice

The Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, reported this Tuesday that the Dominican Government is promoting a renegotiation with the United States regarding the free trade agreement known as DR-CAFTA, specifically concerning rice.

The official explained that this is a high-impact sector, which is cultivated in more than 20 provinces of the country, from which thousands of families make a living and which is an essential part of the Dominican diet and, therefore, of the country’s food security.

I indicate that the renegotiation with the United States will seek to protect the national rice sector. The Government will seek to review the commercial aspects related to this product.

Recently, the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista García, announced the creation of a specialized fund to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the rice sector.

As Bautista explained, this mechanism will include the strengthening of financing programs at preferential rates, with special attention to small and medium-sized producers.

However, the National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (CONFENAGRO) warned that the repeal of Decree 693-24, which eliminates tariffs on rice from the United States, represents a blow to national rice production, rural employment, and food security.