After a month's delay, US President Donald Trump finally introduced the import tariffs he had previously announced on Tuesday. These tariffs impose a 25% duty on almost all Canadian and Mexican goods. Earlier, Trump stated at a press conference that he would soon introduce import duties on goods from Europe as well.
The impact on Dutch exports remains uncertain, according to GroentenFruit Huis general director Richard Schouten. "This is because we still don't know exactly which products will be included on the list. If you consider an export product like peppers, North America primarily relies on Canadian and Mexican production, with the Netherlands acting as a supplementary supplier. If the 25% import duty applies to all these countries, then there is still a level playing field. However, Dutch peppers are not yet in season, so we will first have to wait and see which products actually make it onto the list."
Richard Schouten. Photo: GroentenFruit Huis
GroentenFruitHuis is in close contact with members involved in exports to North America. "Besides our export package, we also handle significant import flows from North America, such as sweet potatoes. When you compare these figures, the differences are not that substantial, and the Netherlands maintains a relatively balanced trade position. However, whether Trump will take that into account remains uncertain," Schouten said.
Broader focus on Mexican exports
"What is interesting, however, is that a completely different trade landscape could emerge for Mexican products. Especially for a global commodity like avocados, there is a real possibility that Mexico will seek alternative markets and focus more on Europe and Asia. This is something we must definitely take into consideration."
"Moreover, the principle of communicating vessels still applies. If the supply from one country decreases, another country will attempt to fill the gap, potentially leading to shortages. So we are certainly taking that into account. On the other hand, adjusting production takes time—it's not something that can be increased in a month," continues the GroentenFruit Huis director.
"All in all, it is quite remarkable how existing world trade regulations are being disregarded. We see the same pattern with import duties on steel, aluminum, and cars. The slogan 'America First' may sound appealing, but I expect that American consumers will ultimately bear the brunt of these tariffs. After all, they may no longer be able to enjoy avocados in restaurants as easily—especially if there is no staff to serve them either."