The Society of American Florists and the International Fresh Produce Association are urging the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce to exempt all cut flowers from tariffs — a move they say would support U.S. businesses, jobs and the global floral supply chain.
A Nov. 3 letter, signed by both organizations, outlines the essential role imported cut flowers play in meeting year-round consumer demand, and argues that tariffs on those products disrupt the floral supply chain and increase costs for U.S. businesses.
“As floral products are largely discretionary purchases, any price increase has a direct, adverse effect on consumer demand,” the letter states. “Tariffs imposed on imported floriculture products act as a de facto consumption tax, further compressing the narrow margins under which many U.S. floral businesses operate.”
The request comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that could ease tariffs on select imported goods, including roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and lilies. SAF and IFPA are pushing for that relief to apply across the board — not just to specific varieties.
“Floral imports are essential to our supply chain, and tariffs create unnecessary pressure,” says SAF CEO Kate Penn.
Broad Industry Impact
Nearly 80% of all cut flowers sold in the United States and more than 90% of the young plant cuttings used by U.S. floriculture growers as starter materials — are imported. These imports, worth about $3.5 billion in 2024, according to the USDA, are the foundation of the $71 billion U.S. floral industry. Domestic production continues to play a crucial role, but factors like seasonal constraints and higher production costs limit their ability to satisfy consumer demand year-round.
The Sept. 5 executive order signaled a willingness by the administration to exempt goods not produced in significant quantities in the U.S. Bischoff says that could open a path for countries like Ecuador and Colombia — two major exporters of flowers to the U.S. — to seek duty-free status through negotiations.
But with trade policy in flux and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) still expired, SAF and IFPA say a broad exemption is the best way to ensure consistent supply and pricing.
Tariff policy could change significantly depending on how the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a case it heard earlier this month. The justices are weighing whether the administration overstepped its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. A decision is expected as early as December or by June 2026 and could reshape how tariffs are applied going forward.
USMCA Review Brings Regional Trade into Focus
While pushing for tariff relief, SAF is also turning its attention to regional trade policy. In comments submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative regarding the modernization of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), SAF emphasized the critical role the agreement plays in sustaining the floral supply chain across North America.
“Canada and Mexico are indispensable trade partners for American floriculture,” SAF wrote in its comments, noting that last year the two countries account for nearly $800 million in floral and nursery stock imports to the U.S. Canada also receives more than 90% of U.S.-grown flower exports — a crucial outlet for domestic growers looking to expand their reach.
SAF supports efforts to update USMCA to reflect modern business realities and technologies but cautions that any changes must preserve the agreement’s existing benefits for the floral industry. That includes maintaining open market access, fair competition, science-based regulatory and trade standards and strong dispute resolution mechanisms.
Disrupting trade through the reintroduction of tariffs, new non-tariff barriers, or country-specific restrictions would have serious consequences, SAF says.
“It would raise costs for consumers, reduce product diversity and jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking Americans who own and operate family floral businesses across the country,” SAF says in the filing.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
