00:00Today, a nearly three-decade-old trade agreement hangs by a thread.
00:04The United States is poised to impose a 20.9% tariff on most Mexican tomato imports,
00:11a move with immediate and potentially devastating consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
00:17With two Argentine-Italian restaurants in Southern California,
00:20Razzo relies heavily on tomatoes for everything from salads to marinara sauce.
00:24U.S. growers, through groups like the Florida Tomato Exchange,
00:28argue that the agreement failed to protect them from dumping the sale of cheap.
00:32Mexican exports that undercut domestic products, they believe it's time for these tariffs.
00:38Experts predict consumer prices could rise by about 10%, with demand potentially falling by 5%.
00:44Some, like Apollonia's Pizza, might try to absorb the increased costs.
00:49But it's an unsustainable strategy for most.
00:51The reality is, for many, the price of a tomato and the viability of their businesses
00:57now deeply uncertain.
00:59Teresa Razzo is actively seeking domestic sources, but the speed and scale needed are a monumental
01:05challenge.
01:06The uncertainty created by these last-minute tariff changes is causing significant instability
01:11and fear for business owners already navigating a stressful industry.
01:16The U.S. is Mexico's top market for tomato exports, accounting for a staggering 93% of U.S.
01:22tomato imports during certain seasons.
01:25This dependence means the tariffs will undoubtedly translate to higher prices at the grocery store
01:30and your favorite eateries.
01:32She fears her businesses could go bankrupt within three months if she can't find affordable
01:36alternatives.
01:37They insist that existing agreements have been fulfilled and that Mexican imports have consistently
01:42undergone thorough audits.
01:44Her story highlights the vulnerability of small businesses caught in the crossfire of international
01:49trade disputes.
01:49This isn't just about tomatoes.
01:51It's a stark example of a chaotic tariff policy shaking global trade.
01:56For restaurant owners like Teresa Razzo, the impact is dire.
02:01This tariff surge comes as the Commerce Department withdraws from the tomato suspension agreement,
02:06which has been in place since 1996.
02:08However, Mexican growers like Walberto Solorio dispute this claim, calling the decision more political
02:14than commercial.
02:15The numbers paint a clear picture.
02:19Field-grown tomatoes cost U.S. shoppers about $1.70 per pound as of May 2025, while some large
02:26companies like Heinz and DiGiorno use domestically grown tomatoes and may avoid the immediate impact
02:32many small businesses cannot.
02:34The debate continues.
02:36Domestic growers assert they can meet demand year-round thanks to technological advancements,
02:41while Mexican producers emphasize their consistent compliance with trade laws and quality inspections.
02:48Money expires
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