House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today made the following statement after the Department of Commerce announced an agreement in principle between the United States and Mexico on the importation of Mexican sugar.

“This deal is an improvement over current agreements that have hurt U.S. sugar growers but the details will be important. It is disappointing that the agreement in principle appears to leave in place a loophole that keeps the door open to dumping. Mexico and sugar users could annually petition for excess refined sugar to be allowed into the United States. Leaving this loophole in place doesn’t make sense. It needs to be closed to adequately address unfair Mexican trade practices.

“I encourage the Department of Commerce to follow its commitment to strictly monitor and enforce the agreement and the Department of Agriculture to continue its management of the sugar program in the best interest of the U.S. sugar industry.”
 

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