Rep. Cammack Leads The Charge & Secures Department of Commerce's Withdrawal From 2019 Suspension Agreement On Fresh Tomatoes From Mexico

GAINESVILLE, FL — This morning, Congresswoman Kat Cammack issued the following statement about the U.S. Department of Commerce's announcement of its intent to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, with termination effective in 90 days. 

"This has been a priority of ours for years in Florida," said Rep. Kat Cammack. "For half a decade now, our producers have been subject to an unfair marketplace. In the past five years alone, Mexican tomato producers have violated the suspension agreement over 100 times. The economic impact of these violations has been catastrophic on our domestic tomato producers."

"I've long been a champion of free but fair trade. Since the beginning of 2000 we have dropped from 250 producers to just 25. I'm grateful the Trump administration is working so hard to enforce international U.S. trade laws, and I know our tomato producers in Florida will be relieved to once more have a level playing field. As the only Florida Member on the House Agriculture Committee, I'm proud to work on behalf of our farmers, ranchers, and producers to deliver the support they deserve and keep their industry alive. Food security is national security which is why ensuring our producers are protected from unfair trade practices is critical," Rep. Cammack added.

The Department of Commerce currently maintains 734 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade. These duty orders provide American workers with a mechanism to seek relief from harmful unfair pricing of imports.

“A great injustice to our Florida tomato producers has finally been addressed," said Jeb Smith, President of the Florida Farm Bureau. "Thank you to Congresswoman Cammack for heeding the pleas of our growers and leading the charge. Many thanks to Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Rollins, and others in this administration for acting. For decades our farmers have simply sought strict enforcement of U.S. trade law, including the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. At last, we are witnessing such. With the institution of the antidumping duty order resulting in duties of 20.91 percent on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico, fair trade could be attainable. It is an exciting day for tomato growers in the Sunshine State and the broader produce industry!" 

"For decades, unfair foreign trade practices have taken their toll on U.S. growers of fresh fruits and vegetables," said Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. "The termination of the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement is a positive step toward helping tomato growers compete on a level playing field and ensure American consumers are not forced to rely on foreign sources for fresh fruits and vegetables. We sincerely appreciate the support and efforts of this administration and Congresswoman Cammack for effectively implementing U.S. trade laws and protecting domestic tomato growers."

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