Tomato War Reignites — U.S. Withdrawal from Agreement Shakes North American Tables

On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially withdrew from the "U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement," which had been in place since 1996, and imposed an average anti-dumping tariff of 17.09% on fresh tomatoes from Mexico. Mexican tomatoes, which account for about 70% of the U.S. market, represent a $3 billion industry. While Florida's producer groups welcomed the move as a "historic victory," U.S. importers and the Mexican government warned of price increases (6-10%) and the risk to over 50,000 jobs. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #TomatoTariff surged, sparking debates over whether this move protects farmers or burdens consumers, with comments like "Salsa becoming a luxury item." There is no prospect for renegotiating the agreement, and tensions are rising in the North American supply chain and diplomatic relations.