Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott of Florida has written a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, urging the immediate termination of the 2019 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. Senator Scott is concerned about the practice of dumping, which allows Mexico's tomato exports to flood the domestic market without accountability from the Department of Commerce. This unfair competition is causing significant harm to local farmers and forcing them to shut down their farms.

In his letter, Senator Scott requests that antidumping duties be imposed on Mexican tomato imports to level the playing field for American farmers. He also requests a meeting with Secretary Raimondo to discuss this urgent matter. This letter is a follow-up to Senator Scott's initial request made in June 2023, which received support from 59 Members of Congress.

Senator Scott expresses his disappointment in the lack of response from the Department of Commerce, stating, "More than two months have passed since you received my initial letter... I have yet to receive a response to that letter." He also highlights the delay in receiving a determination, despite the clear presentation of facts regarding the negative impact of Mexican tomato dumping on American farmers.

The senator emphasizes the devastating effects of this dumping on small family operations and rural economies, stating, "Mexico’s tomato dumping has hit small family operations particularly hard, and the impacts have been profoundly damaging to rural economies." He believes that the loopholes in the suspension agreements exploited by Mexican producers cannot be closed after 27 years, and that failure to take necessary action will result in further harm to the domestic industry.

In conclusion, Senator Scott respectfully requests a meeting with Secretary Raimondo to discuss this critical matter that directly affects tomato growers in Florida. The termination of the 2019 Suspension Agreement and the imposition of antidumping duties on Mexican tomato imports are necessary steps to protect American farmers from unfair competition and ensure the sustainability of the domestic tomato industry.

The Department of Commerce is yet to respond to Senator Scott's request.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-rick-scott-to-commerce-mexico-s-tomato-dumping-hurts-florida-farmers-commerce-must-terminate-2019-suspension-agreement