United States: Mexican tomatoes targeted by 17% customs duties

The United States announced on Monday the establishment of customs duties of 17% on tomatoes imported from Mexico. Meanwhile, after the cancellation of a free trade agreement between the two countries for this product.

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Washington had announced in mid-April his desire to end the agreement, signed in 2019 during the first term of Donald Trump, the announcement leading to a period of 90 days before the effective exit of the agreement, times which ended on Monday.

The US government had initially threatened Mexican tomatoes with a surcharge of 21%. Similarly, before united states: mexican tomatoes targeted finally deciding to apply 17% customs tax on the fruit.

Mexico City immediately denounced an “unfair” surcharge which goes “against the interests of Mexican producers. In addition, but also of American industry”, according to a statement from the Mexican ministries of agriculture and the economy published on Monday.

“Since two out of three tomatoes consumed in the United States are harvested in Mexico, the measure (…) will only affect the pockets of American consumers, since it will be impossible to replace Mexican tomatoes,” adds the document.

The American Ministry of Commerce accuses Mexican producers of anti -competitive practices. ensures that customs duties have been calculated in order to compensate for these practices.

“Mexico remains one of our main allies. but for too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair commercial practices which artificially lower the price (production, editor’s note) on products such as tomatoes,” said the Minister of Commerce, united states: mexican tomatoes targeted Howard Lutnick in a statement.

Before the announcement of these new customs rights. the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, had assured “working to reduce the effects” of this surcharge.

“It is very difficult to stop exporting tomatoes to the United States. because their national production does not meet demand,” she added.

In total. 90% of tomatoes imported into the United States come from Mexico, recalled in April the Minister of Agriculture Julio Berdegué by anticipating concrete risks of prices on the other side of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande.

The first trading partner in the United States. Mexico has been on the front of the commercial wars launched by Donald Trump since returned to the White House in January.

The United States has finally exempted Mexico and Canada from “reciprocal” customs duties imposed on other global economies. The three countries are united by a free trade treaty.

The White House has also united states: mexican tomatoes targeted partly remote to the surcharge imposed as part of the fight against fentanyl traffic. a powerful opioid causing a serious health crisis in the United States, by exempting Mexican and Canadian products imported into the country as part of the Canada-Mexico Canada-Estats Free Trade Agreement (ACEUM), which covers a majority of exchanges.

Despite the Treaty, Mexico and Canada are affected by customs duties on steel, aluminum and automobile also decreed by Mr. Trump.