The Secretariat of Economy will defend Mexican tomato growers who are under pressure by policies that want to limit exports to the United States, reported Bruno Ferrari.
He said that Mexico "will not abandon" domestic farmers on the request of farmers in Florida to end a 16-year agreement that governs the price of Mexican tomato imports and impose duty.
Mexico has shown great determination in this matter, "regardless of the pressure that exists for Florida growers, right now primarily because of political issues," argued the secretary.
Yesterday, El Universal reported that almost 2,000 million dollars and 500,000 jobs would be at risk of having an anti-dumping duty to tomato exports.
In this regard, the said Economy works in defence of the tomato export and therefore has spoken with authorities from the United States and governors of various entities of Mexico so as to not affect the producer.
"Mexican authorities maintain a strong position," as they have in other trade disputes with the United States, like in the case of tuna, and therefore, we will not abandon tomato producers," he said. Americans have "a protectionist attitude towards producers who are affected by the quantity, quality and competitiveness of Mexican products in this and other countries," said Ferrari.
Source: Notimex / El universal