(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) met with Mexican Ambassado
r to
the United States Arturo Sarukhan to discuss the impact of Mexican tariffs on
Washington state families, jobs, and agriculture industry. Murray urged the
Mexican government to end the retaliatory tariffs that are harming Washington
state families, and to use Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s upcoming visit
to Washington, D.C. as an opportunity to resolve the differences.
“I
feel very strongly that Washington state farmers and families shouldn’t be
punished for a diplomatic dispute they had nothing to do with,” Senator
Murray said to Ambassador Sarukhan. “I urge the Mexican government to take
a hard look at their list of retaliatory tariffs and end the ones that are
hurting so many Washington state families.”
Mexico’s
retaliatory tariffs have severely harmed the Washington state agriculture
industry, especially farmers of cherries, pears, and potatoes. According to the
Washington State Potato Commission 20,000 jobs are supported by the potato
industry alone in Washington state, and thousands of these would be threatened
if this issue is not resolved soon.
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