Washington, DC (October 5, 2015) – The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today released the following statement in response to the conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations:
“We commend Ambassador Froman and the negotiating team for their work to conclude the TPP agreement and to craft a deal which reversed the U.S. sugar lobby’s previously successful efforts to keep Australian sugar out of the U.S. market.
“Based on the details that have been released, the TPP will provide much-needed additional market access for U.S. sugar imports from Australia. However, we need more sugar than provided by the agreement. While we have gained 65,000 metric tons in additional access, the effect of the 23 percent additional quota allocation is still largely unknown. What is known is that U.S. users of sugar are facing a shortfall in sugar availability that far exceeds the 65,000 metric tons in new sugar allocation clearly provided to Australia.
“We look forward to continuing to review the details of the agreement and will comment further at that time.”
SUA President Rick Pasco told Confectionery News that this agreement of additional sugar is “positive news.” Australia would be able to export more sugar to the U.S. if needed.
Last week, a bipartisan group of 45 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman calling for commercially meaningful liberalization in sugar trade in any final TPP agreement. In addition, SUA recently sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative urging him to push for commercially meaningful liberalization of sugar trade between TPP member countries.
The Sweetener Users Association represents companies who utilize nutritive sweeteners in their business operations, as well as trade associations to which these companies belong.
