The United States has imposed antidumping duties of 17.09% on most imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, alleging the produce is being sold at unfairly low prices that hurt American growers.
The decision, announced by the US Commerce Department on Monday, follows the termination of a 2019 agreement that previously prevented such duties.
“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,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
He added that the new move aligns with President Donald Trump’s trade policies, signaling a tougher stance toward US trade partners, including Mexico.
Mexico Vows to Limit Impact
Reacting to the development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government is working with local tomato producers to mitigate the effects of the new duties.
“We are working together to minimize the impact,” she stated during her regular morning briefing, without providing further details.
Mexican Officials Call Tariff Unfair
In a joint statement, Mexico’s Ministries of Economy and Agriculture criticized the tariff, arguing it would damage producers on both sides of the border. The measure goes “against the interests not only of Mexican producers but also of the US industry,” they said.
US-Mexico Trade Tensions Rise Under Trump
The tomato duty is the latest in a string of aggressive trade measures under Trump’s administration. Earlier this year, he imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican goods, though products under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) were initially exempted.
Over the weekend, Trump threatened to raise the tariff to 30% by August 1 as he pushes to renegotiate the broader trade framework between the two nations.
With 80% of Mexican exports heading to the United States, the country remains especially vulnerable to US tariffs and regulatory actions.
Tomato Prices May Rise in the US
While American tomato growers welcome the move, some industry observers warn that the new duties could trigger a surge in tomato prices in the US, impacting consumers and supply chains.
The Commerce Department said the antidumping rate of 17.09% reflects the extent to which Mexican tomatoes were undercutting domestic prices.
