US Commerce Secretary said that bananas would be duty-free only if produced in the United States, while a Democratic lawmaker said: "We don't produce bananas."

[Source/Observer Network Zhang Zhuojuan] At the hearing of the House Appropriations Committee on June 5, a discussion about "banana tariffs" unexpectedly became the focus.

According to PBS reports, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick insisted that the United States can "produce" and "grow" bananas when talking about trade policies, which was refuted by Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean from Pennsylvania.

Dean said that on the first day of Trump's presidency, he promised to reduce the cost of goods, but what he is doing now has exactly the opposite effect. She picked up a banana that Americans love as an example and asked Lutnick, "What is the tariff on bananas?"

"The tariff on bananas will depend on the country producing them," Lutnick replied.

"How much specifically is the tariff?" Dean followed up.

"Generally 10%," Lutnick said.

"That's right. 10%. Walmart has already raised the price of bananas by 8%...," before Dean could finish her sentence, Lutnick interrupted her, claiming that with the conclusion of trade agreements between the United States and various countries, commodity prices would fall back.

Upon hearing this, Dean rebutted: "But the cost now falls on American consumers and confused businesses. Secretary, I believe you are very clear about this. I believe you know that trade deficits are not scary. I believe you know that predictability and stability are crucial for businesses. I hope you can inform this administration of this fact."

"Without a doubt, if you manufacture and produce your products in the United States, you will face no tariffs," commented Lutnick.

Dean immediately responded: "We cannot grow bananas in the United States."

However, Lutnick did not listen, and he continued to emphasize the advantages of production in the United States, while Dean emphasized twice, "We cannot grow bananas in the United States."

The main areas of the United States are located in temperate and subtropical zones, lacking the conditions for growing bananas. The demand for bananas in the United States mainly relies on imports.

It is reported that the United States imports this fruit from several Latin American countries, with the main sources being Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

Video screenshot of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

At the hearing, Grace Meng, a Chinese-American representative from New York, borrowed the banana example mentioned by Dean to express concern over rising consumer prices in the United States.

Lutnick responded to the inquiry by saying, "In our trade agreements, our expectation is... we will not impose tariffs on scarce natural resources in our country, but we will seek market access for our farmers and ranchers."

He claimed that poultry, pork, and beef from the United States have been treated unfairly when traded globally, "This is terrible, and this situation must end."

"If we say, 'You can export coffee to us, but you need to treat us better for us to reciprocate with agricultural products,' I think this is fair trade," said Lutnick.

The United States introduced the so-called "reciprocal tariff" in early April, and Trump granted a 90-day "reprieve" to many trading partners. July 9 is the expiration date of this "reprieve."

Currently, governments of multiple countries are stepping up intensive negotiations with the U.S. side in an attempt to secure tariff exemptions. However, judging from the signals released by the U.S., a simple "zero tariff" concession clearly does not satisfy their appetite.

Lutnick stated bluntly at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 4 that even if Vietnam decides to eliminate all tariffs and trade barriers on American imports, the U.S. will not respond reciprocally.

"This is a bad deal," he said, adding that the U.S. will not do something so foolish.

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