The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that, effective July 14, 2025, a 20.91% tariff will be imposed on most tomatoes imported from Mexico. This decision follows the withdrawal from a 2019 agreement that had suspended such duties, citing concerns that the agreement failed to protect U.S. tomato growers from unfairly priced imports.
Mexico's Response and Negotiation Efforts
Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué emphasized that 90% of tomatoes imported by the U.S. originate from Mexico, warning that the new tariffs could lead to increased prices for American consumers on products like salads and ketchup. Berdegué also noted that the Mexican government was not formally notified of the proposed duty; instead, U.S. authorities informed legal representatives of Mexican producers in the United States
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism about reaching a new agreement to avoid the tariffs. She highlighted that previous similar disputes have been resolved through negotiation, and she believes that even if the duties are applied Mexican tomatoes will continue to be exported to the U.S. due to the lack of substitute suppliers .
Implications for U.S. Consumers
If the tariffs take effect as scheduled, American consumers may face higher prices for tomatoes and tomato-based products. Given that six out of ten tomatoes consumed in the U.S. are grown in Mexico, the increased costs could impact a wide range of food items .
Negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the aim of reaching a resolution before the July 14 deadline.
As the Trump administration continues defending tariffs and the uncertainty they have created in the global economy, voters are reacting, with more saying they trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the economy for the first time since 2021, a new poll shows.
A Morning Consult poll among 2,203 registered U.S. voters across the country between April 11-13 found that more trust Democrats in Congress more than their Republican counterparts to handle the economy (46% to 43%).
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
