Kraig R Naasz, American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) president and chief executive officer, issued this statement on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the US-Mexico cross-border trucking program’s termination. The Mexican government responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs on selected American products as allowed under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“The trade conflict with Mexico, sparked by the closure of the cross-border trucking pilot program a year ago, remains unresolved and continues to hurt US farmers and food producers. For a year now, American producers and manufacturers have had to cope with Mexican import tariffs imposed on some 90 American products, resulting in a substantial loss of export sales and the corresponding jobs that depend upon access to the Mexican market.
“Due to the 20% retaliatory tariff placed on US frozen potato products, the estimated value of US frozen potato exports to Mexico alone has dropped to $31.5 million, a 51% decline compared to the previous year. In the meantime, Canadian potato exports to Mexico—which are not affected by the tariff—have increased 55% during the year-long impasse.
“AFFI urges the White House and Congress to resolve this matter and normalize trade with Mexico. Every day the Mexican trade conflict drags on and the tariffs remain in place, more harm is done to American farmers and agricultural and manufacturing workers.”
AFFI is the national trade association promoting and representing the interests of all segments of the frozen food industry. It works to foster industry development and growth, and advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf. For more information, visit www.affi.com.
