Washington said that it would impose an antidumping duty order on July 14 that would levy tariffs of 20.9 percent on the majority of Mexican tomato imports.
Mexico said it will look for negotiations to avoid Washington-imposed taxes and denied on Tuesday that its growers were dumping tomatoes in the US.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a press conference, “There is no dumping by Mexican tomato producers,” and she expressed hope that tariffs would not be imposed.
“There is no alternative; thus, Mexican tomatoes would continue to be exported to the US even if this punishment were implemented. The primary issue, according to Sheinbaum, would be the higher cost of tomatoes in the US.
A 2019 deal that “failed to protect US tomato growers from unfairly priced” imports from Mexico will be terminated, the US Department of Commerce announced Monday.
On July 14, Washington announced that it would enforce an antidumping duty ruling, imposing taxes of 20.9 percent on the majority of Mexican tomato imports.
Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue stated, “We’re seeking dialogue,” referring to antidumping probes as “common.”
2019 saw Mexico defend itself, make its case, and come to the agreement that has been in force to this day. The same thing is probably going to occur,” he informed reporters.
Mexico is a major supplier of fresh tomatoes to the United States, according to government statistics.
Since taking office again, President Donald Trump has levied a number of tariffs on US industries and trading partners.
Trump has attempted to implement broad levies to address what he thinks are unfair trade practices, in addition to sector-wide taxes on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
