The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended U.S. and Mexican negotiators for reaching an agreement in principle addressing U.S. imports of Mexican sugar, saying that once finalized it will help remove a significant trade irritant as all-important negotiations to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement begin later this summer.
"We commend Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and their teams for their determination, persistence and diligence in reaching this sugar-suspension agreement," said NGFA President Randy Gordon. "This positive outcome shows what can be accomplished when trade negotiators engage in good faith discussions and share a mutual commitment to reach a successful outcome that preserves food and agricultural trade and enhances economic growth and job creation in North America.
"In addition to preserving corn, corn products, meat and other U.S. food and agricultural trade with Mexico, Secretary Ross's and Minister Guajardo's success in reaching this agreement in principle is highly significant in creating a conducive, can-do environment as the United States, Canada and Mexico prepare to begin vitally important talks to modernize NAFTA in mid-August," Gordon said.