July 11, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corn Refiners Association joined 30 other organizations today in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick calling for the Administration to update – rather than terminate – the U.S. Mexico tomato suspension agreement, which has protected food prices for U.S. consumers and maintained the strength of the interconnected North American market.

The Department of Commerce has publicly notified its intent to terminate the agreement, which would result in duties of 20.91% added to imports of tomatoes from Mexico starting on July 14, 2025.

Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode released a statement on the effects this decision may have on food prices, as well as economic and food security.

“This is the wrong time to drive up U.S. consumer costs,” said Bode. “It is critical to our economies and regional food security that the governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada support the flow of commerce and the integration of the North American market.”

According to figures from Texas A&M University, the importation and sale of Mexican fresh tomatoes generate an estimated $8.3 billion in annual economic benefits to the American economy.

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About the Corn Refiners Association
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.