But the countries wage battles across the range of commodities - in ways that don't always make sense. For instance, a recent report by the state Department of Agriculture predicted an end to U.S. taxes on Mexican corn brooms would likely prompt lower Mexican tariffs on U.S. wine. Most recently, the apple industry has braced for a new tariff on all imported apples, an attempt to battle alleged undercounting of imports. Already, U.S. apple exporters are subject to inspections by Mexican officials to make sure apples don't harbor pests. Of course, the current floor price is preferable to the 101 percent tax U.S. apples faced in Mexico a few years ago.
Sales hit rock bottom when that happened.
We need to be more aggressive in getting our produce into these other countries. That puts the focus on the WTO trade talks, designed to lower trade barriers around the world. The Clinton administration is putting agricultural trade issues at the top of its list for the negotiations, Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., said in a recent interview. There is really no way to go back to the old closed system. All rights reserved.