Possible restrictions on seasonal importation of fruit and vegetable from Mexico follows reports released on September 1st by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the USDA, following Congessional hearings on August 13th and 20th.
Proposed action will include:
- Initiation of discussions with officials in Mexico over the next three months to address concerns relating to strawberries and other produce
- Working with U.S. growers to initiate a WTO investigation
- USDA will develop a market promotion strategy emphasizing U.S. produce
The U.S. recently concluded and ratified the USMCA. If Mexico is complying with the agreement, punitive action would be contrary to the USMCA. If Mexico is within its rights to export seasonal fruit and produce then it is up to domestic producers to make use of their resources to outcompete imports.
Initiating trade wars to satisfy one or other segment of agriculture or industry results in inevitable retaliation. There is obvious concern for the volume of poultry exported to Mexico, our largest customer. For the first half of 2020, Mexico imported 335,054 metric tons of chicken valued at $292 million; 76,539 metric tons of turkey meat ($185.6 million); 6,320 metric tons of egg products ($16.9 million) and 23 million dozen eggs ($16.9 million). The Administration should be careful in evaluating the unintended consequences of any action that might engender enmity and retaliation.