US Dept. of Commerce Issues Determination on Mexico-US Sugar Trade Deal

There is some indication that not all the requirements are being met relative to the U.S.-Mexico sugar trade agreement and there may be instances of noncompliance, according to a notice posted by the US Department of Commerce (DOC).The decision was previously delayed, with the most recent delay taking place November 23.The announcement came after the DOC conducted a review requested by sugar companies of the U.S.-Mexico agreement reached in 2014.The U.S. government needs more information, however, to finish the review of the deal, according to a memo by a DOC official, Paul Piquado, Reuters reported.Given that the agency is looking for additional information, it's clear this is not the final chapter in this situation and it is one that ag interests beyond sugar will monitor in case any additional trade frictions mount between the two sides and spill into other commodity areas.