Tomatoes
The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized an agreement with Mexican tomato growers to suspend the ongoing antidumping duty (AD) investigation of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, halting the process for imposing antidumping duties on tomatoes from Mexico, the agency reported on September 19.
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said: "The Department's action brought the Mexican growers to the negotiating table and led to a result that protects U.S. tomato producers from unfair trade. It also removes major uncertainties for the Mexican growers and their workers."
The suspension agreement allows Commerce to audit up to 80 Mexican tomato producers and U.S. sellers per quarter, or more with good cause. In addition, the agreement closes loopholes from past suspension agreements that permitted sales below the reference prices in certain circumstances, and includes an inspection mechanism to prevent the importation of low-quality, poor-condition tomatoes from Mexico, which can have price-suppressive effects on the market.
Today's action stems from a November 14, 2018 request from the Florida Tomato Exchange that Commerce terminate the 2013 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico.