Kelly: Tomato Tariffs will Raise Food Prices, Kill Arizona Jobs

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement after the Trump administration officially terminated the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement, triggering a 17% tariff on fresh tomato imports from Mexico: 

“These tomato tariffs are a billion-dollar tax on Arizona working families. They will raise food prices, threaten the jobs of thousands of warehouse workers and truck drivers in our state, and squeeze small businesses already struggling to keep up with rising costs. 

“We know that the administration has not found any violations and that terminating this agreement won’t solve the problems facing American growers. I’ve been pushing the administration to reverse course and keep this agreement in place, and I’ll keep fighting to protect Arizona families from the fallout of this reckless decision.” 

Background: 

Kelly has long opposed the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement when it was considered by presidents of both parties. In May, he led a bipartisan letter with Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego and Representatives David Schweikert and Greg Stanton urging the administration to keep the agreement in place. Earlier this year, he visited Nogales to hear directly from warehouse workers and small business owners about the impact these tariffs would have on jobs and food prices.