The U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday it will withdraw from a 2019 tomato trade agreement with Mexico and impose a nearly 21% tariff on most Mexican tomatoes beginning July 14, citing the need to protect domestic growers from unfair competition.
The department said the move will allow U.S. tomato producers to “compete fairly in the marketplace,” arguing that the existing agreement failed to shield them from “unfairly priced Mexican imports.”
The 2019 deal, negotiated during President Donald Trump‘s first term, aimed to prevent tariffs as high as 25% by establishing price floors and inspection measures. However, complaints from Florida tomato growers about price suppression and quality issues reignited calls for protectionist measures.
Mexico remains the top exporter of tomatoes to the U.S., as well as a key supplier of other fruits and vegetables. The tariff announcement comes amid broader trade tensions, including water delivery disputes under a 1944 treaty.
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I refuse to buy vegetables from Florida because of poor quality. I look for fruits and vegetables from other states and countries. I’d rather go without than spend my money on tasteless food, I’ll pay more for food from Mexico.
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