[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MEXICAN GOVERNMENT DETERMINATION ON APPLE DUMPING

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I am dismayed by the decision made 
Monday by the Mexican Government to impose a 101.1 percent tariff on 
U.S. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples effective September 1. 
This tariff increase has been imposed in response to an antidumping 
claim filed by Chihuahua apple growers against U.S. growers earlier 
this year. Ignoring significant evidence to the contrary, the Mexican 
Government has issued a preliminary determination that U.S. growers are 
selling apples in Mexico at half their fair price.
  The Mexican Government's determination is wrong. U.S. apple growers 
have not engaged in dumping. It appears that Mexican officials have 
virtually ignored the documentation submitted by the U.S. apple 
industry proving that U.S. apple growers are exporting apples at a fair 
price. The allegations made by Mexico are ludicrous and the tariff 
increase unjustified.
  As many of my colleagues know, my home State of Washington is the 
Nation's largest apple producer, and Mexico is the largest market for 
our apples. This drastic tariff increase will devastate the United 
States apple industry while allowing Mexican growers, with no 
competition, to charge exceedingly high prices for their apples.
  Together with my colleagues from Oregon and Idaho, I call on the 
administration to take immediate action on this issue. We cannot allow 
Mexico to undermine the United States apple industry with these unfair, 
protectionist trade practices.

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