The federal government has determined that imported blueberries are not a threat to domestic producers.
That was the recent unanimous decision of the U.S. International Trade Commission that ended an investigation requested in September by former President Trump’s U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer. A finding of harm could have ultimately led to tariffs or other measures.
“We applaud this decision, but we remain worried that the other cases that are hanging out there could still be a major thorn in the side of the US-Mexico relationship,” said Lance Jungmeyer with the Nogales-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, which represents importers of Mexican fruits and vegetables.
Similar investigations are underway for other major imports from Mexico, like bell peppers and squash. Jungmeyer fears that different rulings on those commodities could lead to retaliatory trade measures from Mexico.
