Last Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that tomatoes imported from Mexico will face a 21% starting tariff this summer. This measure supposedly aims to protect American producers but will lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers.
The Department of Commerce will implement this fee in July, ending the 2019 trade pact known as the “Tomato Suspension Agreement.” This deal allowed Mexico to export fresh tomatoes to the U.S. without tariffs, provided producers met certain price and quality conditions.
Trump’s administration claims the agreement has failed to adequately shield U.S. producers from “unfair trade practices,” arguing that it has not effectively prevented Mexican tomatoes from being sold below fair market prices, harming local farmers.
As a result, they have chosen to impose a 21% anti-dumping tariff on most tomatoes to restore fair competition in the market.
Related article: Donald Trump’s tariffs against Mexico could raise prices of products in California
“Your salads will cost more,” says Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture on tariffs
Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the Commerce Department’s decision not only affects thousands of Mexican farmworkers, but will also make products more expensive for U.S. consumers. He emphasized that the impact will be more significant for Americans, as 90% of the tomatoes imported into the U.S. come from Mexico.
“If this measure takes effect, your salads, ketchup, and anything containing tomatoes will become more expensive.”
Mexico and Canada play a vital role in stocking U.S. supermarket shelves. According to CNN, Mexico exports approximately $10.8 billion dollars in fruits, $9.6 billion dollars in vegetables, $3 billion dollars in grains, $3.4 billion in livestock and meat, and $3.9 billion in sugar, along with other products like nuts and poultry.
It seems that the changes and tariffs imposed by Donald Trump’s administration will begin to affect not only Mexicans but also American citizens themselves.
