The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) ordered the initiation of investigations for the potential activation of the Special Agricultural Safeguard Mechanism, provided for in the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPC) between Panama and the United States, through the publication of eight resolutions. The investigations cover certain tariff lines of agricultural products, including rice, chicken, and dairy products. In parallel, the special agricultural safeguard for imports of certain cheeses, including mozzarella, was activated on January 6 after reaching the activation threshold set in the treaty. MICI reported that, through the National Directorate of Treaty Administration and Trade Defense, in coordination with the National Customs Authority, it has begun permanent monitoring of imports corresponding to 39 tariff lines of sensitive agricultural products originating from the United States. According to the General Director of Trade Defense at MICI, Daniel Tejada, the monitoring includes a daily review of import volumes of products such as chicken, cheeses (including cheddar and mozzarella), powdered milk, ice cream, brown rice, and milled rice. The Special Agricultural Safeguard Mechanism authorizes the competent authority to impose an additional import duty for a period of up to one calendar year when imports exceed the activation volumes set for 2026 under the TPC. The measures are being taken at a time when several sensitive agricultural products are completing their tariff phase-out schedules and moving to an unrestricted access scheme under the agreement.
