The United States has imposed a 17% tariff on most tomatoes imported from Mexico, effective immediately, after withdrawing from a long-standing trade agreement that had previously shielded Mexican producers from such duties.
Announcing the decision, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the move was necessary to protect domestic farmers from what he described as years of “unfair trade practices.”
“For far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes,” Lutnick said. “This action is a step toward restoring fairness for US tomato growers.”
The new tariff follows Washington’s withdrawal from the 2019 tomato suspension agreement with Mexico, the latest in a series of five deals since 1996 that had paused antidumping duties in exchange for Mexico maintaining a minimum export price.
US tomato producers have long claimed that Mexican growers were flooding the market with low-cost tomatoes, a practice they say undermines the competitiveness of domestic agriculture. According to the Florida Tomato Exchange, about 70% of all tomatoes consumed in the US are imported from Mexico.
Mexico has rejected the accusations of dumping, asserting that the popularity of its tomatoes in the US is based on quality rather than price manipulation.
In a joint statement, Mexico’s economy and agriculture ministries said it would be “impossible to substitute Mexican tomatoes,” given the sheer volume of exports. They added that the government would pursue negotiations with Washington to establish a new agreement and help local growers find alternative markets.
Industry analysts warn that the new tariff is expected to push up prices for consumers at supermarkets and restaurants, especially for tomato-based products such as pizza sauces and salsas.
Pizza chains, Mexican eateries, and food manufacturers that rely on bulk tomato imports may face the brunt of the cost increases, which could be passed on to customers.
Supporters of the tariff argue that it will stimulate demand for US-grown tomatoes and help revive a struggling domestic sector that has long faced competitive pressure from Mexico.
The tomato dispute comes amid broader trade tensions between the US and Mexico. President Donald Trump, who has recently resumed office, has threatened to impose a sweeping 30% tariff on all Mexican goods starting August 1, accusing Mexico of failing to prevent North America from becoming a “Narco-Trafficking Playground.”
Similar tariff threats have also been directed at Brazil, China, and the European Union in recent weeks, raising concerns of a potential global trade war.
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