On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced new import tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The 25% levies on products from Canada and Mexico are expected to significantly impact the US fresh produce sector, which depends heavily on imports from these countries.
"This is going to have quite an impact," says Remco Beekman of Soho Produce. "Fruiting vegetables will be hit the hardest. The US has its own production, but in summer, they primarily rely on Canadian supplies. Mexico has also been extending its export season."
Trump cited an emergency related to fentanyl, drugs, and undocumented immigration as the reason for the tariffs. "I imagine these countries will now review these issues to try to get the tariffs lifted. The US, like the UK, often works with seasonal pricing, and it remains to be seen how this will evolve," Beekman adds.
Paul Schockman of Freshclusive highlights the unpredictability of US trade policy. "Who can say with Trump? He swings from left to right, makes all kinds of statements, and then does whatever suits him. The 60% tariff on China seems to have been reduced to just 10% on top of the existing levy. I'm curious to see what he does next."
Schockman notes that European suppliers could fill North American shortages, provided tariffs remain reasonable. "If there's enough product, they'll sell it within their own market. The 25% import tariff will mostly impact prices for both growers and consumers."
Dutch exporters do not expect to benefit from these disruptions. "Dutch exports to the US have not returned to pre-COVID levels," Beekman adds. "With lower air freight prices, the outlook was improving, but it's unclear what measures will be taken against the EU."
New Green's Leon Bol shares this concern. "If Trump is imposing 25% tariffs on NAFTA countries, I think the EU should be prepared for similar measures."
"We are monitoring the situation closely," says Marcel van der Pluijm of Feeling Fresh. "We hope European agricultural products will be excluded, but given that the 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada applies to all products, including agriculture and horticulture, we fear the worst."
"If Canada, which follows a similar growing cycle to the Netherlands, is hit with a 25% tariff while we face only 10%, there's a small silver lining. However, our transport costs remain much higher than Canadian growers," Van der Pluijm adds. "Ultimately, the biggest loser will be the American consumer, as these cost increases will be passed on, and groceries are already expensive everywhere. It is absurd that healthy vegetables are subject to these tariffs!"