The Trump administration imposes a 17 % tariff on fresh Mexican tomatoes

The United States government He said the two It puts a 17.09 % duty on most fresh Mexican tomatoes, after negotiations on alleged, unfair commercial practices ended without an agreement to avoid customs tariffs.

The supporters said that the import tax will help rebuild the shrinking American tomato industry and ensure that the products that are consumed in the United States are also grown there. But opponents, including American companies that plant tomatoes in Mexico, said that the customs tariff will make fresh tomatoes more expensive for American buyers.

Mexico currently provides about 70 % of the tomato market in the United States, an increase of 30 % two decades ago, according to the Florida Stock Exchange.

This step comes amid a separate batch of President Trump to increase the definitions of dozens of commercial partners, including Mexico, which was said during the weekend. Expect 30 % tariff starting in August. Trade Minister Howard Lootnick said in a statement on Monday that the decision of tomatoes “is in line with President Trump’s commercial policies and its approach with Mexico.”

“Mexico is still one of our greatest allies, but for a long time our farmers have been crushed through unfair commercial practices that undermine prices on products such as tomatoes. This ends today,” Lootnick said in A. statement.

The exchange of tomatoes in Florida praised this step in a statement on Monday. It was described by Robert Gwinter, the group’s executive, as “a tremendous victory for American tomato farmers and American agriculture.”

Trade Department He said in late April He was withdrawing from a deal that it first reached with Mexico in 2019 to settle allegations that the country exports tomatoes to the United States at artificially low, a practice known as dumping. The decision to withdraw from the tomato suspension agreement was appointed to be valid in 90 days.

As part of the 2019 deal, Mexico was forced to sell tomatoes at less than the price and adhere to other rules. Since then, the agreement has been subject to periodic reviews, but the two sides have always reached an agreement to avoid duties.

Upon announcing its withdrawal from the agreement, the Ministry of Commerce said in late April that it had “flooded comments” from American tomato farmers who want to protect better than Mexican imports.

But others, including the American Chamber of Commerce and the National Restaurant Association, called on the Ministry of Commerce to reach an agreement with Mexico.

In a letter sent last week to Lutnick, the Chamber of Commerce and 30 other business groups said that American companies are employing 50,000 workers and generating $ 8.3 billion of economic benefits that move tomatoes from Mexico to societies throughout the country.

The letter said: “We are concerned that withdrawing from the agreement – while the business community is already moving in a state of significant inconcupture – can lead to retaliatory measures by our commercial partners against goods and other crops that can create more hardship for American companies and consumers.”

The approximation of the two decision led to criticism from some Democrats.

“Arizona, buy your tomatoes now !!” Senator Robin Galigo, Democrat Arizona, wrote on X last week. “Grocery stores are already expensive. (Mr. Trump) needs the opposite of this decision now.”

“Salsa will be more stable, furnished, with a more expensive disturbance. Tens of thousands of jobs, including 30,000 Texas, will be in danger,” MP Silvia Garcia, a democratic in Texas, will books On x.