(Update June 5: In a decree recently published by the Mexican Government, tariffs were imposed on apples and cranberries but there was no mention of grapes or blueberries).
The Mexican Government has said it will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. fruit imports in response to duties on steel and aluminum.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently said the country would impose a 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminum from Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, effective June 1.
Mexico has described the move as unfair and said it will impose duties on various U.S. imports including apples, grapes and blueberries.
“Faced with tariffs imposed by the U.S., Mexico will impose equivalent measures on numerous products such as flat steel (hot and cold foil, including coated and various tubes), lamps, pork legs and shoulders, sausages and food preparations, apples, grapes, blueberries, various cheeses, among others, up to an amount comparable with the level of the affectation,” it said.
“This measure will be in place until the United States Government eliminates the tariffs imposed.”
Mexico said it was open to “constructive dialogue” with the U.S. and reiterated its support of the international trade system and its rejection of unilateral protectionism.
Mexican authorities did not say when the tariffs would come into effect or what level they would be.
Mexico is the U.S. state of Washington’s leading export market, with the industry shipping more than US$200 million of fruit to the country annually.
Canada announced it would impose a 10% tariff on U.S. cucumber imports.
India has also threated an additional 30% tariff on U.S. apple imports, while the EU said it too would take retaliatory measures.
31/05/2018
