Monday is the deadline for pending tariffs on Mexican tomatoes.
The 90-day clock started in April, when the U.S. moved to end a 2019 suspension agreement.
Lobbying has picked up in Washington as talks come down the wire.
This week, Mexican growers asked the Commerce Secretary for another 90-day extension. It is the third request in two weeks.
Western states tend to support lower-cost imports. Growers in the south, including Florida, want stronger prices for domestic tomatoes.
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“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
Strong corn exports are anchoring U.S. trade, while soybean sales remain steady, but shipments lag.
