HCR108 - Urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement.

      H.C.R. No. 108       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The State of Texas and Mexico have greatly benefited   from their strong economic relationship and long history of   bilateral trade; and          WHEREAS, Fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico contribute more   than $7.5 billion to the U.S. economy and support nearly 50,000   jobs; more than half of the imported tomatoes enter through ports in   Pharr and Laredo, with an estimated value of nearly $1.5 billion;   and          WHEREAS, The Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from   Mexico, or the Tomato Suspension Agreement, is the result of a   collaborative effort involving the U.S. Department of Commerce and   nearly 700 producers and exporters of fresh tomatoes grown in   Mexico; the agreement first became effective on November 1, 1996,   and its most recent update went into effect on September 19, 2019;   and          WHEREAS, Under the Tomato Suspension Agreement, signatory   producers and exporters must sell Mexican tomatoes at or above a   specific reference price to eliminate the injurious effects of   exports of fresh tomatoes to the United States; the agreement has   helped to bring stability to the tomato market while complying with   U.S. trade laws, and it has established strong enforcement and   monitoring mechanisms; in addition, the agreement ensures that U.S.   consumers have access to a wide selection of fresh tomatoes   year-round; and          WHEREAS, The termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement   would subject U.S. companies to a 17.09 percent tariff on each   shipment of tomatoes imported from Mexico, resulting in severe   economic harm to numerous businesses and communities in Texas; the   estimated potential loss to the state's economy is more than   $4.5 billion and 32,000 jobs; the vast majority of produce   warehouses in the Rio Grande Valley would see immediate and severe   reductions in their business, and many would face the threat of   closure; moreover, high duties on tomatoes would negatively impact   consumers by inflating prices and limiting the supply of   vine-ripened and specialty tomatoes, which are predominantly   imported by Texas companies; and          WHEREAS, Countless businesses, residents, workers, and   citizens of Texas have benefited from the Tomato Suspension   Agreement, and its continuation is vital to the economy of the Lone   Star State; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Department of Commerce to   maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an   official copy of this resolution to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.     Guillen   Raymond   Longoria   Dorazio       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.C.R. No. 108 was adopted by the House on May   10, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 102, Nays 16, 1 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.C.R. No. 108 was adopted by the Senate on May   26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor