Colorado Republican Complains Mexico Didn't Live Up to Ag Market Access Promises
Mexico did not live up to its promise to open its market to U.S.-grown potatoes, says Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., who announced Sept. 27 that he's asked Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to do something about it. Tipton's letter dated Sept. 25 mentions that the House is negotiating with the administration on the ratification of the NAFTA rewrite, but does not say he will tie his vote to the potato issue.
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"Originally, Mexico agreed to allow full potato access for avocado access. Unfortunately, Mexico has failed to honor its obligation. As you are aware, for over 16 years America’s potato growers have fought for full access to Mexico’s trade markets to no avail. Meanwhile, these hardworking growers have had to bear witness to Mexico’s avocado growers building an annual export market of $2 billion in the United States with Mexico seeking further expansion of the avocado market," Tipton wrote. "If U.S. potato growers would receive full access to Mexican markets, it is estimated that the Mexican market for U.S. fresh potatoes could be $100 million annually."
Potato interest groups say that the avocado and potato issues are not formally linked, but do say that given Mexico is asking for more access for avocados, the administration should take the opportunity to press the issue of non-tariff barriers to U.S. potato exports.