Kelly, Schweikert, Stanton Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Commerce Department to Reconsider Tomato Trade Decision That Threatens Jobs and Raises Prices for Arizonans
“The tact currently being taken jeopardizes the spirit of cross-border commerce with one of our key trading partners.”
Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, alongside Representatives David Schweikert (R-AZ-01) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) led a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Department to reverse its decision to withdraw from the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). The lawmakers warn that terminating the agreement will cause widespread American job losses, large price increases for consumers, and significant disruptions to the U.S. agricultural supply chain.
The letter emphasizes the critical role that tomato imports play in sustaining jobs and supply chains across Arizona, Texas, California, and other Southwestern states. They argue that terminating the agreement would lead to increased prices and reduced availability of a dietary staple for American families.
“Multiple sectors have grown dependent on year-round access to tomatoes and other fresh produce varieties not grown domestically, and all Americans benefit from the hard-working grocers, restaurant staff, truckers, warehouse operators, and others who move and sell fresh produce to meet consumer demand,” the lawmakers said.
They also highlighted the economic consequences of withdrawing from the agreement: “Ports like Nogales, Arizona—second only to Hidalgo, Texas, in volume—serve as an economic lifeline to our states. According to economists at Arizona State University, the job losses resulting from termination of the TSA could exceed 50,000 in Arizona and Texas alone, while U.S. grocery retailers could face revenue losses surpassing $7.5 billion. Additionally, a University of Arizona study found that Mexican tomato imports contribute nearly $3.4 billion to U.S. GDP through agribusiness supply chains. In addition, removing the TSA would lead to price spikes and make a dietary staple less accessible for many Americans.”
The lawmakers closed by warning of broader consequences for consumers and regional stability: “The tact currently being taken jeopardizes the spirit of cross-border commerce with one of our key trading partners; the results of which are likely to be higher prices, reduced availability, and diminished selection and quality of products for American consumers. The effects of U.S. withdrawal would also extend into Mexico, potentially leading to decreased tomato production, job losses, and increased migration pressures. Terminating the TSA now would be profoundly disruptive and run counter to the administration’s goals.”
In addition to Kelly, Schweikert, and Stanton, the letter was signed by Senator Ruben Gallego and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-04), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33).
Click here to read the full letter.
