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Tomato tariffs in place for now
Mexican fresh tomato imports are now subject to a 17 percent tariff after nearly 30 years of complaints from U.S. growers.
The U.S. fresh tomato industry has continuously requested relief from Mexican imports since 1996 through suspension agreements to eliminate unfair trade.
The Florida Tomato Exchange says a series of failed suspension agreements was meant to eliminate the injury, but dumping continued, and the U.S. industry continues to suffer.
The Exchange says they are grateful the Secretary of Commerce is recognizing that previous agreements with Mexico had failed, and strong enforcement of U.S. trade laws is needed.
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, last week said she hopes trade teams can come to an agreement before the 1st of August on tomatoes and other good facing 30 percent tariffs.
A 2023 study from the University of Arizona estimated that completely losing Mexican Roma imports would cause prices to more than double, and consumer prices for all tomatoes could increase by about 50 percent.
The U.S. imports more than 70 percent of its fresh tomatoes from Mexico. U.S. growers had supplied 70 percent of the market 30 years ago when the trade disputes began.
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