Trump administration imposes 17% tariff on fresh Mexican tomatoes

The U.S. government said Monday it is placing a 17% duty on most fresh Mexican tomatoes, after negotiations over alleged unfair trade practices ended without an agreement to avert the tariff.

Proponents said the import tax will help rebuild the shrinking U.S. tomato industry and ensure that produce eaten in the United States is also grown there. But opponents, including U.S. companies that grow tomatoes in Mexico, said the tariff will make fresh tomatoes more expensive for U.S. buyers.

Mexico currently supplies around 70% of the U.S. tomato market, up from 30% two decades ago, according to the Florida Tomato Exchange.