Mexican agriculture denounces U.S. for violating T-MEC over strawberry dumping claims

Mexico's agricultural sector is pushing back against a preliminary U.S. determination that accuses its winter strawberries of "dumping," arguing the move violates the T-MEC trade agreement and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The National Agricultural Council (CNA) expressed deep concern over the U.S. Department of Commerce's findings, stating they contradict the T-MEC, WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement, and U.S. domestic legislation.

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In the CNA, we express special concern about the application of these criteria by U.S. authorities, despite them being contrary to the provisions of the T-MEC, the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement, and U.S. legislation on the matter.

The U.S. Commerce Department's preliminary affirmative finding concluded that Mexican strawberry exports are engaged in unfair trade practices by being sold below market value during the winter months. Mexico's agricultural leadership has rejected these preliminary restrictions, asserting they distort U.S. law and undermine decades of productive integration and competitiveness between the two nations.

The CNA warns that this ruling could establish a perilous legal precedent, potentially extending to other perishable and seasonal agricultural products from Mexico. The imposition of what the CNA calls "arbitrary parameters" creates uncertainty for investments, exporters, and producers involved in the cross-border supply chain. The council emphasized that the growth of Mexican fruits and vegetables in the U.S. market is due to legitimate factors like productivity, quality, safety, and favorable agroclimatic conditions.

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This resolution sets a dangerous legal precedent that could extend to other perishable and seasonal agricultural products from Mexican fields.

This protectionist measure, the CNA argues, not only jeopardizes significant investments and jobs on both sides of the border but also risks triggering inflationary pressures by increasing food prices for American consumers. The private sector urged the Mexican government to adopt a firm stance with the White House, demanding strict adherence to the international trade rules enshrined in the T-MEC. The CNA also called for Mexico to urgently modernize its trade defense instruments to implement reciprocal measures against potential unfair practices by foreign competitors.

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This protectionist measure not only compromises substantial investments and millions of jobs on both sides of the border but will also cause inflationary pressures by raising the final price of food for the North American consumer.