ITC finds domestic pressure from Mexican sugar imports easing

Commission says injurious effect of sugar imports from Mexico on U.S. industry as a whole is eliminated by suspension agreements.    The U.S. International Trade Commission recently determined that the injurious effect of imports of sugar from Mexico on the domestic industry as a whole is eliminated by suspension agreements agreed to by the Commerce Department and both the Mexican government and the country’s sugar exporters.
   As a result of the commission’s affirmative determinations, the suspension agreements will remain in effect.
   Commerce is currently considering requests filed by Imperial Sugar Co. of Sugarland, Texas, and AmCane Sugar in Taylor, Mich., to continue the underlying antidumping investigations. “Whether or not underlying investigative proceedings are continued will depend upon whether Commerce accepts these requests,” ITC said. 
   “If the underlying investigations are not continued or if they are continued and Commerce and the commission make affirmative final determinations in the continued investigations, the suspension agreements will remain effective,” ITC explained. “If Commerce or the commission make a negative determination in either of the continued investigations, the pertinent suspension agreement will have no effect, and no duties will be imposed.”
   The ITC will publish its report Sugar from Mexico after April 24 on its website.