May 17, 2019

Removal of Mexican tariffs on US exports expected

In a move that could bode well for U.S. fruit exports, President Donald Trump removed Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Friday, May 17.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue expects the U.S.’s North American trading partners to act swiftly in their response. In addition, the lifting of the Section 232 tariffs should ease the way for ratification of the USMCA trade deal.

“Today’s announcement is a big win for American agriculture and the economy as a whole,” said Sonny Perdue in a statement. “I thank President Trump for negotiating a great deal and for negotiating the removal of these tariffs. Canada and Mexico are two of our top three trading partners, and it is my expectation that they will immediately pull back their retaliatory tariffs against our agricultural products.

“Congress should move swiftly to ratify the USMCA so American farmers can begin to benefit from the agreement.”

U.S. Apple Association weighs in

The following statement by Jim Bair, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, regarding the removal of Section 232 tariffs, was issued May 20:

“The U.S. Apple Association commends the Trump Administration for the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum on Mexico and Canada and the successful negotiation of provisions going forward to protect agriculture from being drawn into future trade disputes involving metals. 

“We welcome the return of duty-free access to Mexico, our largest export market, and continued duty-free access to Canada, our number two market.  The two countries combined represent a half-billion-dollar market for U.S. apple growers.

“Removal of the Section 232 tariffs and ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) have been our top priorities. Our efforts are now focused on securing congressional support and ratification of the USMCA, which will provide increased stability and predictability going forward.”