Proposed “managed trade” proposal for sugar with Mexico opposed
Thirty-eight agricultural trade groups collectively voiced their opposition to Capitol Hill lawmakers Wednesday against a proposal in the Farm Bill that would effectively manage trade in sugar with Mexico.“Adopting managed trade with Mexico would effectively amend the free trade provisions of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) by instituting export and import restraints,” the groups warned in a letter to the House and Senate. “Moreover, this managed trade proposal contains other international trade violations that could subject the United States to challenge and unravel the free trade opportunities that the U.S. agricultural sector worked so hard to achieve.”
The groups, which include the American Cotton Shippers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Corn Refiners Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, and U.S. Dairy Export Council, called for House and Senate Farm Bill conferees to reject the proposal.
“It is imperative that we protect the NAFTA,” the groups said. “This proposal sets a dangerous precedent of amending this hard fought agreement.
“Most troubling, if the United States implements this managed trade proposal, we can expect similar legislation in Mexico to result in managed trade in other agricultural sectors. Such an outcome would spell disaster for our industries, which is why we support full implementation of the NAFTA and an open border with Mexico in all commodities.”
