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USDA triggers safeguard on sugar containing products

For the first time ever, the USDA has implemented a safeguard trigger on a limited amount of sugar containing products coming into the United States.

“The numbers were exceeding the allocation or the quantity so they implemented that.”

Harrison Weber with the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association says there’s already tariffs on sugar coming into the United States, but this is different.

“Think about a candy bar that’s produced overseas. If it contains sugar, it has a certain quantity allowed into the United States.”

The safeguard is temporary on products containing more than 65 percent sugar from countries that don’t have a free trade agreement with the United States.

American Sugarbeet Growers Association CEO Luther Markwart tells Brownfield countries like Germany and Switzerland are impacted by the new tariffs and the tariffs are in addition to the 10 percent the administration issued in early April.

He says USDA’s action is more of a symbolic message the United States is sending to countries that American food products come first.

The tariffs remain in effect through September 30.