Sweetener Users to Ambassador Froman: ‘Push for Commercially Meaningful Liberalization of Sugar Trade’ in TPP

Sweetener Users Association

Washington, DC (July 30, 2015) – As trade ministers and chief trade negotiators from the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries continue talks in Maui, today the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, urging him to push for commercially meaningful liberalization of sugar trade between TPP member countries.

SUA wrote:

“At this critical juncture for market-opening trade talks, one single U.S. commodity – minor  in relation to other American-grown products – should not be allowed to compromise an  entire trade agreement. The United States needs to grant Australia commercially meaningful  access for sugar, in the same way that American negotiators are – properly – insisting that  other TPP countries give market access for our exports.

“… Access to additional sugar from Canada would also benefit the United States. A TPP that  includes significant sugar access will increase competition in the U.S. market, enhancing  efficiency and benefiting industrial and retail consumers. A more competitive sugar market  will help reverse the disturbing trend of job losses in the U.S. sugar-using sector, which has

experienced a loss of 120,000 jobs over 15 years, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

“… Perhaps the strongest case for allowing additional access to our sugar market is the fact  that U.S. sugar prices are now double world prices and there is no relief in sight for much needed  sugar stocks. Diversification of sources is a key principle of supply chain  management and the TPP offers the only real opportunity to increase U.S. access to sugar  from other countries. For the U.S. sugar-using sector to remain competitive, it needs  adequate supplies of sugar at reasonable prices.”

Click here for the full text of the letter.

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