U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

An industry insider warned that the U.S. government's tariff policy will pose significant challenges to the tea market in the United States, highlighting concerns about rising costs for importers and the potential for decreased consumer demand due to higher prices.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called reciprocal tariffs, imposing a 10-percent minimum baseline tariff and higher rates on certain trading partners.

During an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Peter Gangi, chairman of the Tea Association of the USA, emphasized that the United States ranks as the world's third-largest tea importer.

While U.S. tea imports have generally trended upward in recent years, impending tariff policy changes are anticipated to drive tea prices higher, potentially dampening sales volumes. "Consumers are price sensitive and if importers and packers are required to raise the price because of the tariffs, then the consumer may look at it and say, well, I'm not sure this presents the value. So, [there are] still some questions involved. But clearly tariffs don't lower prices. Tariffs will raise prices, generally speaking," Gangi said.

He noted that for small and medium-sized enterprises relying on imported tea, balancing costs and market demand will be a major challenge in the near future. Some of these enterprises have already begun adjusting their formulas and stockpiling goods to mitigate the impact of tariffs.

The Tea Association of the USA has also sent letters to relevant institutions, urging the government to carefully consider the unique characteristics of the tea industry and the interests of consumers when formulating trade policies.

"We've written letters to various agencies, we've written to the U.S. Trade representative, we've written to the government, etc. But we are such a small part of total imports into the U.S. that our voice tends to get lost. So, the only response we have is to encourage our members to write to their representatives and write to the government agencies themselves. One doesn't get replies from the government generally speaking, other than a thank you for sending your note," Gangi said.

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

U.S. tea market faces challenges amid tariff threat: industry insider

China's push toward a greener future is once again in the spotlight at this year's annual political "two sessions", as lawmakers are reviewing a draft ecological environment code, a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for ecological protection.

The draft code was submitted on March 5 to the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.

Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the Civil Code, which was adopted in 2020.

The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green progress. China already has more than 30 laws related to environmental protection, along with over 100 sets of administrative regulations and more than 1,000 sets of local rules.

The latest legislative move comes amid China's historic gains in ecological conservation over the past decade or so. Championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources and afforestation, led globally in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest national reductions in energy intensity worldwide.

The 1,242-article draft has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.

Scholars involved in drafting the legislation say the code goes beyond broad legal principles. It is also designed to address environmental issues that affect people's daily lives.

"Electric vehicles are becoming very common in China. My family has one. We all think it environment-friendly. But have you ever thought about this question: how do we deal with the first generation of EV batteries after they expire a few years later? The same goes for wind turbine blades and solar panels," said Ding Lin, assistant professor of the Renmin University of China.

China's environmental progress has drawn global attention in recent years, from improving air quality to expanding renewable energy. Yet amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, some observers have questioned whether the country will maintain the same pace of green transition.

"Last year during the COP30, even some friends who are very familiar with China asked me whether China will continue its green development path. I told them we have gradually worked out new policies. We have a very clear direction and goal. In a world full of uncertainties, we are providing the most certainty," said Wang Yi, an NPC deputy from east China's Zhejiang Province and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In a country pursuing modernization, taking the time to codify environmental laws sends a clear message: economic growth and environmental protection are not a trade-off to be managed, but a commitment to be upheld. For China, a beautiful environment is not a luxury for the future, it is a right for the present, and a responsibility to the next generation.

"This code reflects China's vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It shows how development and environmental protection can move forward together," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.

China will accelerate the green transition across the board and cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by a total of 17 percent in the 2026-2030 period, according to a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development submitted to the NPC for deliberation on March 5.

Chinese lawmakers review draft ecological environment code in major green legislative push