With USMCA Ratified by Mexico, It’s Time for Congress to Act

Swift U.S. Congressional Approval Will Benefit American Consumers and Manufacturers

Washington, D.C. (June 19, 2019) – The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today issued the following statement on the news that Mexico ratified the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

Over 950 U.S. food and agriculture groups/businesses, including SUA, have urged Congress to quickly ratify the USMCA and mitigate the harm that American agriculture has endured without free trade. With the USMCA now ratified by Mexico, SUA renews its call on Congress to approve the new North American trade deal. We hope Canada will quickly follow suit.

America’s food and beverage manufacturers depend on sugar from Mexico and Canada for their products. In fact, one-third of much-needed U.S. sugar imports come from Mexico, and refined sugar is supplied by Canada. Without a free trade agreement in place, these companies, their employees and the consumers who enjoy their products suffer from unnecessarily high prices.

Swift congressional passage of the USMCA would provide some relief since the U.S. Department of Commerce put in place U.S.-Mexico suspension agreements in 2014 and 2017 that essentially nullified the United States’ free trade in sugar with Mexico.

With USMCA approval, Congress has the opportunity to show its support for American manufacturers, their employees and consumers. We call on Congress to act without delay.

Media Contact:
Frances Cox
(202) 822-9491
fcox@fratelli.com