<h1>US government imposes 17% duty on Mexican tomatoes after failed negotiations to protect domestic industry</h1> The US government imposed a 17% duty on most fresh Mexican tomatoes after negotiations failed to reach an agreement. The tariff aims to rebuild the declining US tomato industry, as Mexico currently supplies 70% of the US tomato market, up from 30% two decades ago. The Commerce Department withdrew from a 2019 agreement with Mexico that had prevented duties by requiring minimum pricing and other rules. US tomato growers supported the withdrawal for better protection from imports, while business groups including the Chamber of Commerce opposed it, citing concerns about higher prices for consumers and potential retaliation affecting other US agricultural exports.