U.S. business groups urge pause to withdrawal from tomato suspension agreement 

A number of U.S. business groups joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in urging a pause to the plan to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. 

In a July 11, 2025, letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the group said, “Terminating the agreement would likely have widespread repercussions on the U.S. economy, affecting agriculture, warehousing, logistics, grocery, and restaurant industries.” 

In April, the Trump administration announced plans to terminate the suspension agreement following a 90-day evaluation period, meaning the termination would go into effect today.

Without a pause, the Department of Commerce will institute an antidumping duty order on most Mexican tomato imports to the U.S. of 20.91 percent.  

Economists expect this to result in higher tomato prices in the U.S. 

The USDA last month estimated Mexican tomato exports to the U.S. would decrease by 5 percent this year because of the new duties.

“It’s possible that the price of tomatoes goes up for the short term,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins earlier in July. But the levies will enforce “that our international partners are being fair and following the rules and ensuring that they’re meeting their obligations is paramount.” 

Below is the letter to Lutnick and the signatories: 

The Honorable Howard Lutnick 
Secretary of Commerce 
U.S. Department of Commerce 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW 
Washington, DC 20230 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

The undersigned organizations write regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s intent to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico (the “Agreement”). This decision could create challenges for the U.S. economy, and we therefore urge you to pause this decision to allow time to negotiate a new agreement. 

Tomatoes are a vital staple in the American diet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable in the United States. While the U.S. produces a significant amount on its own, U.S. growers and distributors must import over 2 million metric tons annually —about 90% of which comes from Mexico—to meet domestic demand. Mexico is a key producer of specialty tomatoes like Roma and vine-ripened varieties, which can be difficult to produce domestically in commercial quantities. 

Terminating the Agreement would likely have widespread repercussions on the U.S. economy, affecting agriculture, warehousing, logistics, grocery, and restaurant industries. Nationwide, the import and sale of Mexican tomatoes generate an estimated $8.3 billion in economic benefits, including $4.69 billion in indirect and induced effects. U.S.-owned companies employ nearly 50,000 workers in jobs directly and indirectly supporting the movement of tomatoes from Mexico into communities across the country. 

For nearly 30 years, the suspension agreements have provided stability and certainty for growers and consumers on both sides of the border. These agreements are regularly updated to account for changing market conditions and to protect the interests of U.S. producers, businesses, and consumers—and there is no reason Commerce cannot update the Agreement rather than terminate it. But we are concerned that withdrawing from the Agreement—at a time when the business community is already navigating significant trade uncertainty—could lead to retaliatory actions by our trading partners against other commodities and crops that could create further hardship for U.S. businesses and consumers.   

Thank you for your consideration of our request. 

Sincerely, 

Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference 

American Association of Port Authorities 

Arizona-Mexico Commission 

Border Trade Alliance 

Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce 

Corn Refiners Association 

Del Rio Chamber of Commerce 

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas 

Graham County Chamber of Commerce 

Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce 

Greater Phoenix Chamber 

Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce 

Laredo Chamber of Commerce 

Meat Institute 

National Council of Chain Restaurants 

National Pork Producers 

National Restaurant Association 

National Retail Federation 

Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce 

Northern Brazoria County Chamber of Commerce 

Retail Industry Leaders Association 

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce 

Sky Islands Regional Partnership 

Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 

Texas Association of Business 

Texas International Produce Association 

The Chamber of Southern Arizona 

Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Washington County Chamber of Commerce 

Yuma County Chamber of Commerce