Three Congressmen from Arizona, along with a Texas Congressman, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on Wednesday urging Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick not to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). The DOC announced its intent to withdraw from the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico on April 14, 2025, with termination effective July 14, 2025. This will result in 20.91 percent tariffs on tomatoes from Mexico.
Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Elijah Crane (R-AZ-02), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), and Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) warned that up to 50,000 jobs will be lost in Arizona and Texas if the TSA is terminated. Critics contended that Mexico was dumping its tomatoes at rates lower than fair market price on the U.S. market, so should be required to pay the 20.91 percent tariff penalty for dumping.
The TSA began in 1996 and has been renegotiated every five years since then. It regulates Mexican tomato imports by setting reference prices to prevent dumping. This ensures stable prices by enforcing minimum reference prices, shielding consumers from volatility experienced in other commodities like eggs.
“The TSA has safeguarded tens of thousands of American jobs, stabilized markets, and strengthened our vital agriculture sector,” Biggs said in a press release. “Pulling the plug on the TSA would only hurt American families still struggling from the radical Biden-Harris regime’s inflationary policies. This is an opportunity for President Trump to do what he does best: Make a deal that benefits American businesses, workers, and consumers. I will continue to defend our hardworking farmers and fight for fair trade agreements in Congress.”
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