/ Modified jan 31, 2025 9:30 p.m.

If tariffs hit, price of tomatoes will likely increase 25%

The White House press secretary said that Saturday the president will implement 25% tariffs on goods coming from Mexico and Canada. Some experts say that’s uncharted territory since before the creation of NAFTA in the mid-90s.

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Southern Arizona importers are bracing for the effect of tariffs put in place on Mexico, Canada, and China by President Donald Trump.

Matt Mandel with SunFed, a significant importer of fruits and vegetables, says the tariffs are ultimately a tax on consumers.

"The fresh produce industry has always worked on razor-thin margins, so a 25% tariff is not something that could be absorbed either by the growers or the producers of the fresh fruits and vegetables that Americans have come to enjoy on a year-round basis," he said.

Mandel says the cost of many vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, and avocados, will increase by at least 25% but so will many other popular Mexican imports, such as alcohol.

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