• REBUFF: The Mexican agriculture industry rejected Wednesday the US Government’s promise to Florida legislators to push for trade remedies against alleged unfair practices by Mexican produce growers, dismissing it as part of domestic US politics.
• LETTER: Last month, US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, promised that 60 days after the “entry-into-force” of the new US, Mexico and Canada trade agreement (USMCA) his office will gather information to begin inquiries into Mexican produce growers alleged distorting practices.
• CONCESSIONS: “We already underwent this with tomatoes. We made concessions on labor and environmental issues for the Democrats to sign the Treaty and we are no longer willing to make any other concessions”, said Bosco de la Vega, head of CNA, Mexico’s largest farm lobby.
• DATA: According to the US Department of Agriculture, Mexico accounted for 77% of fresh-vegetable imports to the US with a total value of USD 5.6 billion. Mexico is the leader in the supply of bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, with figures more than three times larger than in the early 1990s.
