U.S. sugar users oppose ‘managed trade’ with Mexico

   A group of 18 consumer, trade, manufacturing, taxpayer, and food and beverage groups urged the Obama administration not to enter negotiations with Mexico on a “managed trade” agreement in response to the antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by U.S. sugar producers against Mexican sugar imports.
   “We have heard troubling rumors about pressure being applied on the administration to consider the negotiation of a managed trade agreement between the governments of Mexico and the United States,” the groups wrote in a letter to White House officials. “We oppose managed trade in principle, especially between the United States and one of its NAFTA partners. Such an agreement would be particularly inappropriate in the case of sugar, a U.S. industry that already receives tremendous government protection from market forces at the expense of U.S. consumers and U.S. taxpayers.” 
   The groups warned that restricting sugar trade between the United States and Mexico would run counter to objectives for completing the comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. 
   The 18 groups that signed the letter include the Coalition for Sugar Reform, American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, American Frozen Food Institute, Chicago Area Retail Bakers Association, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Independent Bakers Association, International Dairy Foods Association, National Confectioners Association, National Foreign Trade Council, National Consumers League, Retail Bakers of America, Snack Food Association, Sweetener Users Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.