Farm Leaders Say Current Agreement Hurts Fair Trade and U.S. Growers
Agricultural leaders across the country have voiced strong support for ending the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). They say the agreement failed to protect American farmers from unfair competition caused by underpriced tomato imports from Mexico.
In letters to the Commerce Department, farm groups from leading tomato-producing states expressed concern ahead of the July 14 termination date.
Many believe the agreement failed to stop trade dumping and has contributed to a sharp decline in U.S. tomato market share.
Eric Mayberry, President of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, highlighted the impact: “In this time frame, Mexican tomato imports have increased nearly 400%. Simultaneously, the U.S. market share has decreased from 80% to approximately 30%.”
Agricultural organizations support Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s decision to terminate the agreement following a ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which confirmed that Mexican exporters were engaging in dumping.
The U.S. International Trade Commission also found these practices harmed U.S. farmers.
State farm bureaus, including New Jersey’s Allen Carter, oppose any renegotiation of the TSA. Carter emphasized that past attempts have failed and only worsened the damage to domestic growers.
Greg Bird, from the Michigan Vegetable Council, added that ending the TSA will not block imports, but will ensure fair pricing: “Termination will not stop Mexican tomatoes from entering the U.S. They will just need to be sold at fair prices.”
Leaders also warned of broader risks. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson wrote, “If we lose our domestic fruit and vegetable producers, we lose more than an industry—we lose control over our food system. A nation that cannot feed itself is a nation that cannot defend itself.”
The Florida Tomato Exchange, whose members grow over 90% of Florida’s tomatoes, continues to play a key role in supporting U.S. tomato growers and advocating for fair trade practices.