Mexico Reacts to 21% Trump Tariff on its Tomatoes: "Your Salads Will Cost More"

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that, effective July 14, 2025, a 20.91% tariff will be imposed on most tomatoes imported from Mexico. This decision follows the withdrawal from a 2019 agreement that had suspended such duties, citing concerns that the agreement failed to protect U.S. tomato growers from unfairly priced imports.

Mexico's Response and Negotiation Efforts

Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué emphasized that 90% of tomatoes imported by the U.S. originate from Mexico, warning that the new tariffs could lead to increased prices for American consumers on products like salads and ketchup. Berdegué also noted that the Mexican government was not formally notified of the proposed duty; instead, U.S. authorities informed legal representatives of Mexican producers in the United States

President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism about reaching a new agreement to avoid the tariffs. She highlighted that previous similar disputes have been resolved through negotiation, and she believes that even if the duties are applied Mexican tomatoes will continue to be exported to the U.S. due to the lack of substitute suppliers .​

Implications for U.S. Consumers

If the tariffs take effect as scheduled, American consumers may face higher prices for tomatoes and tomato-based products. Given that six out of ten tomatoes consumed in the U.S. are grown in Mexico, the increased costs could impact a wide range of food items .​

Negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the aim of reaching a resolution before the July 14 deadline.​

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