Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) is denouncing Mexico’s trade practices regarding sugarcane, especially in the state of Texas.
The congressman’s comments concerning Mexico come after the last sugar mill in the Lone Star State closed its doors.
Mexico is taking advantage of the United States.
They refuse to uphold their treaties, stealing precious natural resources. Yet, President López Obrador has the gall to demand concessions from our country.
The loss of sugarcane production in Texas is tragic. The US shouldn’t… https://t.co/EYt5VvsJdp
— Pete Sessions (@PeteSessions) April 4, 2024
“Mexico is taking advantage of the United States. They refuse to uphold their treaties, stealing precious natural resources. Yet, President López Obrador has the gall to demand concessions from our country. The loss of sugarcane production in Texas is tragic. The US shouldn’t give an extra penny to Mexico until they willingly stand by their established agreements,” said Rep. Sessions.
U.S. legislators such as Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) have stood behind American sugar throughout its criticisms.
In 2022, Rep. Mills said that U.S. sugar policy was “paramount” to national security.
"Protecting and preserving the high standards of our national food supply and security that is undoubtedly anchored by our US sugar policy is paramount to our national security interests," said Rep. Mills. As such, he contends that "any domestic or foreign threats- including attacks on our farmers by liberal environmental special interests- that look to weaken this policy should be swiftly stopped in its tracks."
A letter signed by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) spelled out this concern to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The letter states that all signers are in "strong support for U.S. sugar policy."
The senators wrote, “Americans benefit every day from the lowest-cost, highest-quality food supply in the world, enabled, in part, by the certainty and stability of our domestic sugar industry.”
Because of this, the letter asks, that the Biden Administration should not change course on US sugar policy. This is because there is a chance such a change will "create a glut in the U.S. market and collapse prices below grower costs of production, which would violate the spirit of U.S. sugar policy and ultimately drive family farmers out of business."
Sugar has been and will be a nationwide issue for the foreseeable future.
