Sept. 27, 2016, Fairfax, Va.–Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today in a joint letter with the Hispanic Leadership Fund, the Institute for Policy Innovation, the 60 Plus Association, the Institute for Liberty, Citizen Outreach and Less Government urged Congressional Republicans to adopt the zero for zero sugar policy to eliminate sugar subsidies when the rest of the world does proposed by U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), which stated in part:
“U.S. sugar producers, like all farmers and most businesses today, are part of the global economy and are sensitive to the actions of governments around the world. Those governments are currently ratcheting up sugar subsidies to levels well above those seen in the United States, and the world sugar market is fluctuating wildly as a result.
“Countries like Brazil, Thailand, India and Mexico are flouting global trade rules and distorting free-market prices with billions a year in handouts designed to keep inefficient producers afloat. The subsequent dumping of subsidized surpluses has made sugar the world’s most volatile commodity market.
“Market-distorting policies abroad are the main reason that America has a sugar policy in the first place. Unilaterally disarming U.S. policy without addressing the larger problem of rampant global subsidization will lead to the outsourcing of yet another efficient U.S. business and will leave American consumers dependent on unreliable foreign suppliers.
“The true free-market solution to this problem is being championed by Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). His zero-for-zero sugar policy would direct U.S. trade negotiators to achieve sugar subsidy reforms abroad, and would require sugar policy elimination in the United States once the free market forms.
“It is essentially a global subsidy cease-fire, and it is the only truly free-market solution on the table that puts efficient U.S. businesses in a position to succeed.”
Attachments:
Letter to Congressional Republicans on Zero for Zero, Sept. 27, 2016 at https://getliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ZeroforZeroLetter9-27-16.pdf
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Rick Manning.
###