In a move aimed at protecting domestic tomato growers, the US Commerce Department announced on Monday that most tomatoes imported from Mexico will face a duty of 20.91% starting July 14.
The decision marks a withdrawal from an agreement signed in 2019 between Mexican tomato producers and the Trump administration’s first government, which had averted an anti-dumping investigation and ended a tariff dispute. The US claimed at the time that the agreement closed loopholes and included an inspection mechanism to ensure fair trade practices.
However, according to the Commerce Department, this agreement has failed to protect domestic tomato growers, prompting the decision to impose the duty. The department stated in a report that the action will allow US tomato growers to compete fairly in the marketplace.
The new tariff will apply to most tomatoes imported from Mexico, effective July 14.
Source: Reuters
