As the war of words escalates between Donald Trump and Mexico over who will pay for the U.S. President’s promised border wall, American consumers might soon see the consequences at the supermarket check-out. And guacamole is very likely to get more expensive for them. Mexico is the No. 1 exporter of avocados to the U.S. and President Trump suggested the wall could be paid for with a 20% tax on Mexican imports.
Avocados are just one of many grocery imports from Mexico. In 2014, the country was the No. 2 exporter of food to the U.S., sending more than US$19 billion across the border.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, Mexico is the top foreign supplier to the U.S. In 2014, the U.S. bought US$5.4 billion of vegetables and US$4.7 billion of fruit from its southern neighbour.
US President Donald Trump
Food is hardly Mexico’s only export. In 2015, the U.S. imported US$316.4 billion of goods and services and exported US$267.2 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, making Mexico the United States’ third-largest trading partner for goods.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has just cancelled a planned meeting with President Trump after Trump said Mexico would pay for the wall, one way or another.
