Buchanan Initiates Trade Investigation into Inexpensive Winter Strawberries from Mexico
On December 31, 2025, the Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade (SGFT) took a significant step to protect American agriculture by filing petitions against the import of winter strawberries from Mexico, which they allege are being sold at unfairly low prices. This action was prompted by concerns that these imports are causing substantial harm to the winter strawberry industry in the United States, particularly affecting growers based in Florida. The SGFT’s petitions were submitted to both the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) amid evidence of Mexican strawberries entering the U.S. market at drastically reduced prices, particularly during the peak sales period from November 1 through March 31.
Daniel Pickard, who leads Buchanan’s International Trade and National Security practice and serves as legal counsel for SGFT, highlighted the detrimental impact of these pricing practices on American businesses and workers. He emphasized the need for a fair playing field in trade, stating, "Mexico's use of unfair pricing is harming American companies and workers." The SGFT claims that these practices constitute dumping, where products are sold at less than their fair market value, leading to distorted market conditions and injury to domestic producers. Through antidumping laws, the U.S. aims to adjust import prices to reflect fair market levels, helping to reinstate competitive balance for local growers.
Antidumping duties are specific tariffs imposed on foreign imports that are believed to be priced below fair market value. The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for calculating the extent of dumping margins, while the ITC evaluates whether domestic industries are significantly harmed as a consequence of such practices. This investigation not only underscores the challenges faced by the winter strawberry sector, but also aligns with broader concerns voiced by various agricultural groups in Florida regarding the influx of low-priced Mexican produce. Advocates for American agriculture have raised alarms over the impact of these imports, prompting the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize this issue during ongoing discussions related to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
With the filing of these petitions, the process of commencing a trade investigation will begin. The Department of Commerce is obligated to determine the need for investigations within 20 days of the filing, which may be extended by another 20 days if necessary. Following this, the ITC will make a preliminary assessment of material injury or any threats within 45 days. Though the entire investigative procedure can take nearly a year, initial remedial measures in the form of duties can be applied as soon as preliminary findings are issued. The implications of these actions could be significant, as they aim to protect U.S. strawberry growers from the adverse effects of an influx of economically pressed imports.
The investigative team led by Buchanan includes experienced attorneys well-versed in international trade and legal remedies designed to support U.S. companies navigating trade laws and policies. To aid various domestic industries in addressing unfair competition, Buchanan offers resources such as the "Trade Remedy Investigations Handbook," which explains how antidumping and countervailing duty investigations can help re-establish a balanced market environment for American industries.
Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, a nationally recognized law firm with extensive experience across several sectors including finance, healthcare, and energy, is committed to advocating for equitable trade practices. With a team of 475 professionals distributed across 18 offices, Buchanan is well-equipped to support clients in facing impacts from international trade dynamics, ensuring that their rights and interests are adequately protected against unfair foreign pricing strategies.
Daniel Pickard, who leads Buchanan’s International Trade and National Security practice and serves as legal counsel for SGFT, highlighted the detrimental impact of these pricing practices on American businesses and workers. He emphasized the need for a fair playing field in trade, stating, "Mexico's use of unfair pricing is harming American companies and workers." The SGFT claims that these practices constitute dumping, where products are sold at less than their fair market value, leading to distorted market conditions and injury to domestic producers. Through antidumping laws, the U.S. aims to adjust import prices to reflect fair market levels, helping to reinstate competitive balance for local growers.
Antidumping duties are specific tariffs imposed on foreign imports that are believed to be priced below fair market value. The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for calculating the extent of dumping margins, while the ITC evaluates whether domestic industries are significantly harmed as a consequence of such practices. This investigation not only underscores the challenges faced by the winter strawberry sector, but also aligns with broader concerns voiced by various agricultural groups in Florida regarding the influx of low-priced Mexican produce. Advocates for American agriculture have raised alarms over the impact of these imports, prompting the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize this issue during ongoing discussions related to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
With the filing of these petitions, the process of commencing a trade investigation will begin. The Department of Commerce is obligated to determine the need for investigations within 20 days of the filing, which may be extended by another 20 days if necessary. Following this, the ITC will make a preliminary assessment of material injury or any threats within 45 days. Though the entire investigative procedure can take nearly a year, initial remedial measures in the form of duties can be applied as soon as preliminary findings are issued. The implications of these actions could be significant, as they aim to protect U.S. strawberry growers from the adverse effects of an influx of economically pressed imports.
The investigative team led by Buchanan includes experienced attorneys well-versed in international trade and legal remedies designed to support U.S. companies navigating trade laws and policies. To aid various domestic industries in addressing unfair competition, Buchanan offers resources such as the "Trade Remedy Investigations Handbook," which explains how antidumping and countervailing duty investigations can help re-establish a balanced market environment for American industries.
Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, a nationally recognized law firm with extensive experience across several sectors including finance, healthcare, and energy, is committed to advocating for equitable trade practices. With a team of 475 professionals distributed across 18 offices, Buchanan is well-equipped to support clients in facing impacts from international trade dynamics, ensuring that their rights and interests are adequately protected against unfair foreign pricing strategies.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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