White House celebrates end of Tomato Suspension Agreement with U.S. growers

A week after announcing the end of the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA), which resulted in a 17.09% anti-dumping tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico, the White House celebrated its decision by highlighting praise from U.S. farmers, growers, and business owners.

In a press release, the Trump administration labeled the initiative "a game changer for American farmers," and compiled a series of testimonies from grocers, growers, and consumers posted on @RapidResponse47 on X, an official account created for "supporting @POTUS's America First agenda."  

Among those celebrating the end of the TSA along with the White House, there's Rich Troccio, a grocer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: “It will not bother me if he [President Trump] puts a 50% tariff on Mexico. It wouldn’t bother me because I don’t buy from there. It’s just the way I am. As long as it’s something grown here, this is where I want to buy my product.”

Logan Duvall, co-owner of Me and McGee Market, in Little Rock, Arkansas, also praised the White House initiative: “I can’t see how the tariffs are going to be negative on us at all. Being as tomatoes are a massive part of what we do, and we see the impact when that money goes directly to our farmers in our community versus a multinational conglomerate—it’s a big difference.”

Meanwhile, the industry is not so sure about the positive effects the termination of the TSA will bring. Big actors, such as the San Antonio-based company NatureSweet and the Fresh Produce Association of America, have expressed their discontent, citing potential supply challenges and even food safety issues.