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Border Trade Alliance statement on U.S. formal withdrawal from Tomato Suspension Agreement, imposition of tariffs

As consumers face higher prices, BTA urges negotiations to continue

WASHINGTON—Border Trade Alliance President Ms. Britton Mullen released the following statement upon the completion of the United States’ formal withdrawal from the 1996 Tomato Suspension Agreement and the imposition of tariffs on fresh tomato imports from Mexico.

“The Border Trade Alliance is disappointed that the Department of Commerce has withdrawn the U.S. from the agreement that has governed U.S.-Mexico tomato trade for decades. It’s a move that not only hits shoppers in the wallet by driving up the cost of Mexican-grown tomatoes, but it injects yet more disruption into North American cross-border trade.

“We encourage the U.S. and Mexico to continue conversations with the goal of reaching a revised agreement that not only will prevent price spikes but will also preserve the hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs that depend on the tomato trade. Without a commonsense agreement in place, we risk inflicting lasting damage on the U.S. economy.

“The BTA will continue to advocate before policymakers in both countries that trade policy should reflect the needs of consumers and the U.S. economy broadly, not the concerns of a small but vocal band of regional interests.”

The Border Trade Alliance for several years has been a consistent voice for the maintenance of the Tomato Suspension Agreement and tariff-free agricultural trade between the U.S. and Mexico. The organization in June communicated its opposition to the dissolution of the TSA in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

About the Border Trade Alliance

Since 1986, the BTA has served as a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides a forum for discussion and advocacy on issues pertaining to border development and quality of life and trade in the Americas. A network of public and private sector representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada, BTA’s core values include a commitment to improving the quality of life of border communities through trade and commerce. The BTA is online at thebta.org and @borderalliance.

 

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