As the Trump administration reviews the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) is pressing for new trade measures to shield Florida's seasonal growers from a surge in Mexican imports. Buchanan, vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, argues that without action, the state's agriculture sector faces irreversible damage.
In a statement, Buchanan emphasized that food security starts with domestic production. He pointed to a October 2025 report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services showing Florida's share of the fruit and vegetable market has dropped nearly 50% over two decades, while Mexico's share has grown by more than 200%. Bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, and blueberries have all suffered steep losses, forcing multigenerational family farms to close.
The volume of Mexican produce imports has jumped from $14 billion in 2020 to roughly $19 billion today, widening the U.S. agricultural trade deficit with Mexico. Buchanan said the administration has recognized the problem and is prioritizing a fix in the USMCA review.
The solution backed by Florida's industry is seasonal, product-specific tariff-rate quotas on Mexican produce during Florida's marketing season. Buchanan described this as a targeted, proven trade tool that balances open trade with protecting domestic supply. He noted that growers in other states face similar pressures and have joined Florida's call.
Earlier this year, Buchanan co-authored a bipartisan letter with Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and other Florida lawmakers to President Trump, urging action on seasonal import surges. He reiterated that urgency now, warning that losing production capacity could be permanent.
Buchanan, who helped negotiate the original USMCA in 2019, said he pushed for seasonal accommodations even then. He framed the current review as a critical opportunity to restore fairness and strengthen American food security.
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