The tomato, one of the most consumed foods in the world, has become the new protagonist of the tariff offensive initiated by Donald Trump against the countries he identifies as an economic threat. The first consequence of this measure has been a rise in prices.
The US administration has mainly directed this trade offensive against China and Mexico, the latter of which has been repeatedly accused of dumping to manipulate market prices.
The tariff increase for Mexican tomatoes is 17.5% on existing taxes; a blow for an industry that exports to the United States tomatoes worth 2 billion dollars.
Both China and Mexico are producers of hundreds of fresh products used by the United States. Thus, both countries are suppliers to the industry that they are blamed for destroying.
Trump's movement could be linked to the approval of the United States, Mexico, and Canada Agreement (USMCA). This multilateral agreement, which still lacks ratification, will replace the old North American Free Trade Agreement, and this exceptional tariff measure would try to force Mexico to accept the treaty's clauses.
On Tuesday, May 14, the Ministry of Economy of Mexico announced that it was preparing new taxes on some US products in response to the American measure.
