Mexico dismisses the 17% antidumping tariff on tomatoes; will emphasize the importance of an agreement

The measure was rejected by Mexico. The Ministries of Economy and Agriculture characterized the U.S. decision to reinstate an anti-dumping tariff on Mexican tomatoes as unfair and harmful. They claimed that the measure injures Mexican producers and also impacts American consumers reliant on Mexican supplies.

The Commerce Department informed today of its decision to terminate the agreement from 2019 that had put a halt to the investigation into tomato imports from Mexico. Exports will be subject to a tariff of 17.09%.

The Mexican government guaranteed that it will keep looking for a new agreement to suspend the collection of this countervailing duty. It noted that exporters offered reasonable proposals in recent negotiations, but U.S. authorities opted not to accept them.

Mexican authorities attribute the breakup of the pact to political rather than economic reasons.

Two-thirds of the fruits eaten in the U.S. are Mexican tomatoes. Officials stated that the impact will directly affect households and the food industry in the neighboring country. It will not be easy or quick to substitute for the volume that Mexico exports annually. It will also not be inexpensive.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in his message, accused Mexican exporters of employing practices that lower product prices. He said that the new tariff brings trade policy into alignment with President Donald Trump’s strategy.

The Mexican government, however, maintains that the growth of its industry is attributed to quality rather than dumping. It also recalled its compliance with the commitments of the agreement, which included minimum prices and export controls. Since 1996, five agreements have been signed between the two countries to suspend the investigation, with Mexico demonstrating a willingness to engage in dialogue in all instances.