Murray Calls U.S.-Mexico Agreement "Encouraging step"; Reiterates Call for Immediate End to Devastating Tariffs

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after U.S. President Barack Obama and President of Mexico Felipe Calderón announced that they had reached an agreement on a path forward for resolving the cross-border trucking dispute and ending the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. The Mexican government has committed to suspending 50% of the tariffs once a final rule is published and an agreement is signed. The other 50% of the tariffs will be suspended when the new program commences.

"This is absolutely an encouraging step forward toward resolving this issue, but I am once again deeply disappointed that the Mexican government has refused to immediately lift the retaliatory tariffs that are devastating farmers in my home state of Washington.

"By maintaining the tariffs on Washington state products like potatoes and apples, Mexico is continuing to punish farmers and growers in my home state who have absolutely nothing to do with this dispute.

"The Mexican government has indicated in the past that it would end these tariffs as soon as the negotiations were on track for a resolution. I believe we are solidly on that path, and I once again call on the Mexican government to immediately end these harmful tariffs and allow our farmers to compete on the level playing field they deserve."

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