17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, which represent 90% of US consumption

The U.S. government initially threatened Mexican tomatoes with a 21% surcharge, before ultimately deciding to impose a 17% tariff on the fruit. Mexico immediately denounced the surcharge as "unfair" and "contrary to the interests of Mexican producers and the U.S. industry," according to a statement from the Mexican Ministries of Agriculture and Economy released Monday.

"Given that two out of three tomatoes consumed in the United States are harvested in Mexico, the measure […] will only affect the pockets of American consumers, since it will be impossible to replace Mexican tomatoes," the document adds.

The U.S. Department of Commerce accuses Mexican producers of anti-competitive practices and claims that the tariffs were calculated to compensate for these practices. "Mexico remains one of our key allies, but for too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that artificially lower the price (of production, editor's note) of products such as tomatoes," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement.

Before the announcement of these new customs duties, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had assured that she was "working to reduce the effects" of this surcharge.

"It is very difficult to stop exporting tomatoes to the United States because their domestic production does not meet American demand," she added. In total, 90% of tomatoes imported to the United States come from Mexico, Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué recalled in April, anticipating real risks of price increases on the other side of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande.

Trade war

Mexico, the United States' largest trading partner, has found itself on the front line of the trade wars launched by Donald Trump since his return to the White House in January.

The United States has finally exempted Mexico and Canada from "reciprocal" tariffs imposed on other global economies. The three countries are united by a free trade agreement.

The White House also partially backed down on the surcharge imposed as part of the fight against the trafficking of fentanyl, a powerful opioid causing a serious health crisis in the United States, by exempting Mexican and Canadian products imported into the country under the Canada-United States-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), which covers a majority of trade.