US Again Delays Preliminary Decision on Mexico Sugar Trade Pact

The U.S. government on Nov. 4 again and as expected extended its deadline to issue preliminary results of a review of a 2014 sugar trade pact with Mexico.The Department of Commerce said in a notice it is extending its deadline by 2-1/2 weeks to November 23 to issue its preliminary decision on a review of the agreements, which ended a trade battle with Mexico.The U.S. and Mexico agreed on a deal in late 2014 which suspended large duties on U.S. imports from Mexico. The deal also established reference prices and a quota for imports, after a Commerce Department probe showed the domestic industry was being harmed by cheap, subsidized sugar.The administrative review, which has already been postponed three times from an initial deadline of September 1, was requested by interested parties, the Commerce Department said in the notice.Based on evidence collected during this legal review, U.S. sugar producers have asked the Dept. of Commerce to make a preliminary determination to terminate the agreements when it issues its preliminary ruling later this year.If the suspension agreements are ultimately terminated without being renegotiated, Mexican sugar imports would be subject to antidumping duties of more than 40% and countervailing duties of more than 38%.