Congressman Biggs is urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to pursue substantive negotiations rather than reverse its plan to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA).
Supporters of the TSA like Biggs argue that terminating the agreement would lead to increased prices and reduced availability of a dietary staple for American families.
Since its inception in 1996, the TSA has been renegotiated every five years, ensuring fair and enforceable trade deals that support American tomato growers and keep prices stable for consumers. According to economic analysis, terminating the agreement now risks up to 50,000 jobs in Arizona and Texas alone.
“President Trump’s America First trade policies have delivered real results for American workers, and abandoning the TSA now would undermine those achievements,” said Biggs.
“The TSA has safeguarded tens of thousands of American jobs, stabilized markets, and strengthened our vital agriculture sector. Pulling the plug on the TSA would only hurt American families still struggling from the radical Biden-Harris regime’s inflationary policies,” argued Biggs.
“This is an opportunity for President Trump to do what he does best: Make a deal that benefits American businesses, workers, and consumers. I will continue to defend our hardworking farmers and fight for fair trade agreements in Congress,” concluded Biggs.
In May, Senator Mark Kelly, and Representatives David Schweikert and Greg Stanton sent a similar letter to Lutnick urging him to reverse the Department’s decision to withdraw from the 2019 TSA. The lawmakers warned that terminating the agreement will cause “widespread American job losses, large price increases for consumers, and significant disruptions to the U.S. agricultural supply chain.”