Press Releases

After Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) and members of both the United States Senate and House of Representatives called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate an unfair trade agreement harming U.S. tomato growers, the department this week announced the intent to withdraw from the agreement. 

Since 1996, Mexican tomato growers have used a suspension agreement to export dumped tomatoes to the United States, thereby circumventing U.S. laws intended to prevent harm to domestic industries. Georgia tomato growers have been severely impacted by this, driving many out of business. Between 2002 and 2017, U.S. tomato production declined by 34% while Mexican imports increased by 125%. The Department of Commerce announced the intent to withdraw from the suspension agreement yesterday. 

"This is great news for tomato growers in the First District and across the nation," said Carter."The decision to withdraw from this harmful agreement will ensure that Mexican tomato growers cannot get an upper hand through unfair trade practices while helping domestic growers compete. American growers should always be first." 

Click here to view Carter's request to terminate the suspension agreement.