Northwest apple, pear and cherry growers are being shut out of foreign markets by tariffs and non-tariff barriers and are looking to President Trump to dismantle unfair trade practices, according to the Northwest Horticultural Association.

In response to a call by the U.S. trade representative for businesses to weigh in on trade, the horticultural association has submitted a country-by-country review of trade barriers affecting tree fruit growers, packers and shippers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The U.S. imposes no tariffs on foreign-grown apples and cherries, and a small one on out-of-season pears. Meanwhile, U.S. apples, cherries and pears face tariffs of up to 50% in potentially lucrative destinations such as India, Taiwan and Thailand.

Countries such as Australia, Japan and South Korea block or restrict access because of phytosanitary concerns. The horticultural association estimates tariffs and non-monetary barriers cost Northwest growers, packers and shippers tens of millions of dollars a year.

“U.S. government action is needed to address the unfair trading practices our industry faces so that growers can continue to compete and sell Pacific Northwest apples, cherries and pears to existing and new markets,” the horticultural association stated in written comments to the U.S. trade representative.

The U.S. trade representative solicited comments in advance of trade policies due to be announced April 2. Trump directed his administration to draw up a “fair and reciprocal” trade plan.

“April 2nd is just around the corner and that’s American liberation day,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said March 24. “That’s the day the rest of the world starts to treat America with respect.”

Washington, Oregon and Idaho grow a majority of U.S. apples, cherries and pears. About 30% of each crop is exported to more than 40 countries. Here are highlights of the horticultural association’s review of trade problems:

• Apple, pear and cherry growers have lost an estimated $700 million to $1.1 billion since 2017 because of retaliatory tariffs by China. Apple exports are down 77%, cherry exports are down 73% and pear exports are down 99%.

• India imposes a 50% tariff on apples. The horticultural association estimates reducing the tariff to 30% would increase sales to India by $5 million to $10 million a year. India places 30.6% tariffs on cherries and pears. The association estimates eliminating those tariffs would increase sales by up to $10 million.

• The U.S. has a trade agreement with Australia, but phytosanitary concerns bar access for U.S. apples. Efforts to reopen the market go back more than 20 years, according to the horticultural association.

• Thailand has a 10% tariff on U.S. apples. New Zealand and China apples are duty free because of bilateral trade agreements. Duty-free access could be worth $10 million a year to U.S. growers.

• Taiwan places a 20% tariff on U.S. apples. New Zealand apples have duty-free access. If U.S. apples had the same deal, it could be worth $10 million to $25 million a year, according to the horticultural association.

• Vietnam imposes an 8% tariff on U.S. apples and 10% tariffs on cherries and pears. “The United States is the only major supplier of apples subject to a duty in Vietnam, placing U.S. apple exporters at a disadvantage in this vibrant and growing fruit market,” according to the horticultural association.

• Egypt imposes a 40% tariff on apples and pears, while allowing European apples duty-free access, effectively closing down what had been an $11 million market in 2009. No Washington apple has been exported to Egypt since 2019.