USApple Condemns Mexican Tariffs On Fresh And Dried Apples

The U.S. Apple Association has condemned the Mexican government’s decision to assess a 20% tariff on fresh and dried apples. Apples are the latest produce item to be added to a “retaliation list” instituted in 2009 over an ongoing dispute related to cross-border trucking.

“American apple growers are disappointed and frustrated by the Mexican government’s decision to assess this unwarranted, unfair duty on apples,” USApple president and CEO Nancy Foster said. “We urge the Obama Administration to act swiftly to resolve the cross-border trucking dispute. Failure to act on this issue is hurting U.S. farmers and opportunities to grow U.S. apple exports.”

Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. apples. Last year, it imported 11.5 million boxes of fresh U.S. apples, worth $207 million, and dried apples valued at $23 million. This represents 27.5% of total U.S. apple export value.

In anticipation of the new tariffs, USApple joined the Alliance to Keep U.S. Jobs, a business coalition working to resolve the Mexican trade dispute. The coalition is seeking meetings with officials at the Department of Transportation and the United States Trade Representative in hopes of expediting a resolution to the dispute. USApple is also enlisting the support of apple state congressional offices in the effort.

In March 2009, the U.S. Congress terminated the U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program at the urging of organized labor. As a result, the U.S. violated aspects of bilateral trade obligations with Mexico established through the North American Free Trade Agreement, In response, the Mexican government instituted retaliatory tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. manufactured and agricultural exports.