U.S.-Mexico Tomato Trade War Faces Crucial Deadline Aug. 19

A key deadline is set to lapse Aug. 19 that could lead to permanent U.S. tariffs on Mexican tomato imports, with costs potentially hitting American consumers when the weather turns cold later this year.

As of last week, the two sides had failed to reach an agreement to end an anti-dumping investigation over Mexican tomato imports and lift a 17.6% provisional tariff, which went into effect in May. The outcome of the investigation may now make the tariffs permanent, potentially hitting the Mexican agriculture industry as well as American supermarkets and restaurants.

But some U.S. produce farmers, backed by Florida ...