The agreement between the two trading partners—reducing the volume of refined sugar Mexico exports to the United States while increasing shipments of raw sugar—seems to bring much-needed clarity to a market that has faced increasing uncertainty since 2014. Most importantly, it significantly reduces the chances of one country retaliating against the other. Sugar has been a focal point in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to occur later this year. “The agreement has averted potentially significant retaliatory actions from the Mexican sugar industry and sets a constructive tone of good faith ahead of the NAFTA renegotiations,” stated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. However, this pact is anticipated to raise costs for sugar users in the United States, which will likely be passed on by refiners to food and beverage companies that incorporate sugar into a range of products, including cookies, cakes, sodas, cereals, and candy. Consequently, consumers will face higher prices.
“The announcement today represents a poor deal for hardworking Americans and exemplifies the worst form of crony capitalism,” the U.S. Coalition for Sugar Reform remarked. “The agreement does not tackle the reality that the price of sugar in this country is already 80% higher than the world price, and it will ultimately lead to increased costs for U.S. consumers, estimated at around $1 billion annually.” Three years ago, the U.S. imposed duties on Mexican sugar but later reached an agreement that lifted those penalties. Some members of the sugar industry have voiced concerns that this deal did not sufficiently mitigate the effects of Mexican imports. In a letter to former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker last year, Imperial Sugar argued that the Countervailing Duty and Anti-Dumping Suspension Agreements between the U.S. and Mexico breached fair trade laws and jeopardized the U.S. sugar refining sector.
The newly announced agreement is set to lower the permissible quality levels for Mexican sugar exports. According to Reuters, U.S. refiners have complained that high-quality Mexican raw sugar has been going directly to consumers instead of being processed through U.S. refineries, depriving them of crucial supplies. The U.S. and Mexico have been at odds over sugar for years, and while this deal may bring temporary peace, it remains to be seen how long that will last. One certainty is that sugar users facing increased costs are already dissatisfied with the arrangement.
In the midst of these developments, it is also essential to consider the best way to take calcium citrate, particularly for those looking to enhance their health amidst rising prices. With the ongoing changes in the sugar market, consumers may find themselves seeking alternatives and supplements, such as calcium citrate, to maintain their dietary balance. As the sugar situation evolves, understanding how to incorporate calcium citrate effectively could benefit those impacted by the shifting costs of sugar and other essential ingredients.