Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué addressed the measure announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Commerce and noted that since 1996, exports of this product to the United States have been regulated by an agreement suspending an antidumping investigation.
“Florida tomato producers have accused us —in our opinion, without reason— that Mexican producers sell their tomatoes in the United States below cost, which is not true, but they have been doing that for decades,” the official stated. The last of the negotiated agreements dates back to 2019, the official noted, adding that it is not an agreement with the Mexican government, but rather between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Mexican exporters and producers grouped into various associations.
According to Berdegué, the neighboring country’s authorities notified exporters that the United States is withdrawing from this agreement and that within 90 days, until July 14, “the implementation of this measure will begin to punish us for the alleged fraud we have committed.”
He explained, “This is not part of the same tariffs that have been discussed; this is something else that has been going on for decades.”
“We are seeking the renewal of this agreement, certainly to the benefit our producers. There are hundreds of thousands of people working in tomato production in Mexico, and we must take care of them above all,” he stated at a press conference. “But also, if they want,” he added, “then for the benefit of American consumers, because yes, we have to take care of their health. Our tomatoes are very healthy, and hopefully they won’t be so expensive,” he stated, referring to the fact that they would have to pay 21 percent more for the product.
The Secretary of Agriculture noted that 90 percent of the tomatoes imported by the neighboring nation come from Mexico, and six out of 10 of the ones they consume are from here.
“What will be the consequence of this, if it goes ahead, given that there are still 90 days left? Their tomatoes will be more expensive. (…) They can’t replace us, because there aren’t many other countries that produce this quantity of excellent tomatoes at a very reasonable price,” he said.
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