US slaps 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, sparking trade tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced a new tariff of just over 17% on Mexican tomato imports, ending a long-standing trade agreement with Mexico that governed the flow of fresh tomatoes across the border.

The move, unveiled on July 14, marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s renewed push for trade protectionism and has already drawn sharp responses from both sides of the border, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media

For decades, Mexican farmers have been a vital supplier of fresh tomatoes to U.S. consumers, particularly during the winter months. However, American tomato growers, especially in Florida, have long complained that they face unfair pricing competition from Mexican imports.

“Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes. That ends today,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement. “This rule change is in line with President Trump’s trade policies and approach with Mexico.”

The newly announced tariff is slightly below the 21% duty the administration had previously indicated it intended to impose in April. It comes just days after Trump announced a sweeping 30% tariff, effective August 1, on numerous Mexican goods that fall outside the scope of the North American trade agreement negotiated during his first term.

In response, Mexico swiftly condemned the measure. A joint statement from Mexico’s agriculture and economy ministries called the move “politicized and unfair,” adding that the success of Mexican tomato exports stemmed from “the quality of the product, and not any unfair practice.”

Mexican farm groups echoed that sentiment and warned that the U.S. market would struggle to meet demand without their produce. “It won’t be possible for US producers to replace Mexican tomatoes in the short or medium term,” their statement said, noting that nearly two-thirds of U.S. tomato consumption is satisfied by Mexican-grown tomatoes. The groups also predicted a rise in consumer prices.

Still, the tariff received strong support from the Florida Tomato Exchange, a coalition of growers, packers, and shippers in the state. “This decision will protect hardworking American tomato growers from unfair Mexican trading practices and send a strong signal that the Trump Administration is committed to ensuring fair markets for American agriculture,” said Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Exchange.

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to ease concerns, expressing optimism that her administration could avoid a broader trade confrontation. “We’ve had some experience with these things for several months now,” Sheinbaum said during an event in Ensenada, Baja California. “And I think we’re going to reach an agreement with the United States government.”

By Vugar Khalilov