The Arizona congressional delegation is working to ensure that fresh tomatoes from Mexico can be imported into the United States duty-free. They sent a letter asking the U.S. International Trade Commission to reconsider their stance on tomato imports from Mexico.
The USITC is in its final phase of an investigation determining whether the U.S. produce industry is at risk due to Mexican imports of fresh tomatoes. The authors of the letter, U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally and U.S. Reps. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, and Tom O’Halleran, D-Casa Grande, underline the importance of the tomato import for the Arizona economy.
"We write to underscore the importance of cross-border trade in tomatoes to the economy of Arizona," the letter states. "As the Commission continues the final phase of its antidumping investigation to determine whether a U.S. industry was materially injured or is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, we respectfully urge that you consider the interests of American consumers and Arizona workers in making any determination."
The authors recognize the need to verify that trade relationships are beneficial to American companies and consumers, but urges to take into account other elements that could have impacted the sale of domestic products - such as production not changing with the demands of the American market. The letter suggests that "imported tomatoes give consumers choices and access to a higher quality and a greater variety of produce."
The letter also states that the trade relationship between Mexico and Arizona is an economic driver for the state, and the country. The authors state that damaging this trade relationship could negatively impact a market that supports 33,000 U.S. jobs and accounts for nearly $3 billion in U.S. GDP.