Graham County Chamber urges pause on withdrawal from U.S.-Mexico tomato trade agreement

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce: Graham County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vance Bryce and the Chamber urges the U.S. Department of Commerce to pause its decision to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico.

SAFFORD — The Graham County Chamber of Commerce has joined the United States Chamber of Commerce in urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to pause its decision to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico.

In a joint letter to the department, a coalition of chambers, trade associations, and business leaders expressed strong opposition to the proposed termination of the agreement. Signatories argue that immediate withdrawal would severely disrupt the tomato supply chain, leading to higher costs, supply shortages, and economic harm to U.S. businesses and consumers.

“Remember what happened with eggs? Without an intervention, tomatoes are going to be artificially expensive,” said Vance Bryce, executive director of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.

By joining this effort, the Graham County Chamber reaffirms its commitment to advocating for rural Arizona’s economic stability and ensuring that local perspectives are heard in national policy decisions.