Sweetener Users Association

The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) represents American food companies who use sugar to make the products U.S. consumers know and love.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

GAO finds that the U.S. sugar program creates net costs to the economy of approximately $1 billion per year because higher sugar prices created by the program cost consumers more than producers benefit. Check out GAO’s recommendations: https://t.co/RswqKmGo3A

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

These high-tier imports have risen, but that’s not because tariffs are too low. They reflect ongoing failures to increase TRQs in line with market realities and the OBBBA. Timely decision-making can reduce reliance on high-tier imports and build a more competitive market.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

High-tier tariffs protect U.S. sugar production by imposing higher duties on sugar imports that exceed volumes set by tariff rate quotas (TRQs). https://t.co/rKyzeSY2pJ

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

Learn more from @InsideTrade’s coverage, which highlights one of our central messages: The way to address high-tier sugar imports is through a balanced policy approach in line with the sugar reforms passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. https://t.co/AnP1xLH8iL

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

SUA joined a broad coalition urging @USTradeRep to reject additional Section 301 tariffs on high-tier sugar imports. The U.S. sugar program already includes extensive protections, & new duties would increase costs for American manufacturers & consumers.https://t.co/rjWYZFLpVa

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

Much of the “refined” sugar imported to the USA isn’t refined enough for immediate use. It requires extra processing that adds to consumer prices. Updating outdated sugar purity standards would ensure refined sugar imports are truly refined. Learn more: https://t.co/XpZoF14LlK

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

Sugar is an important ingredient in many of the everyday foods Americans know and love, from peanut butter to pasta sauce. Smart sugar policy can help ensure stable supplies and lower consumer prices.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

USDA agreed to GAOs recommendations in 2023, but as of late March 2026, it missed the OBBBA’s March 1 deadline.

Implementing existing tools — like increasing or reallocating TRQs — can help restore balance in the sugar market.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

In 2023, @GAO urged @USDA to reevaluate sugar import quotas, noting current policy costs consumers & food companies ~$3.5B/year.
OBBBA also called for more responsive TRQ admin, directing USDA to reallocate unused quotas “as soon as practicable” & fix shortfalls by March 1, 2026.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

OBBBA authorized @USDA to address this gap — helping ensure imported refined sugar truly meets industry needs.

In recent comments, SUA outlines 7 recommendations to modernize standards and ensure “refined” sugar imports don’t require further processing: https://t.co/CR9Dq6tyXM

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

Polarity measures sugar purity — the more refined the sugar, the higher the polarity.

U.S. import rules classify sugar at 99.5 polarity as “refined.” But many food manufacturers need 99.8–99.9, meaning some “refined” imports still require additional processing at an extra cost.

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

In 2023, @USGAO urged @USDA & @USTR to modernize the U.S. sugar program with market-oriented fixes, citing studies showing that the sugar program leads to job losses in sugar-using industries & costs up to $3.5B a year for U.S. food companies & consumers. https://t.co/RswqKmFQe2

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

While the U.S. sugar program defines “refined” sugar as sugar with a polarity of 99.5 degrees, food manufacturers need sugar with a polarity of 99.8–99.9 degrees. That gap means extra processing and higher costs. https://t.co/CR9Dq6tyXM

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

In 2023, @USGAO found that the U.S. sugar program costs consumers and food companies up to $3.5B a year and urged @USDA and @USTR to implement market-oriented fixes. Both agencies concurred with the recommendations, but no action has been taken. https://t.co/RswqKmFQe2

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is up for renegotiation in July 2026. This agreement has expanded trade value, enhanced supply chains & benefited the entire U.S. farm & food sector. SUA strongly supports its renewal for the full 16-year period. https://t.co/NBek3fujB4

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

A key provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized rulemaking to close the refined sugar loophole — helping ensure refined sugar entering the USA doesn't require further processing. SUA has outlined 7 recommendations @USDA & @USTR can implement: https://t.co/CR9Dq6tyXM

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

.@USGAO recommends @USDA review current and alternative raw sugar allocation methods, while @USTradeRep ensures consistency with U.S. law, using those findings to refine its approach. Both agencies agreed, now it is time to implement. https://t.co/kUqVajcpBz

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

The USA has always been a net sugar importer, and Mexico, our largest foreign supplier, is vital to ensuring reliable supplies for U.S. consumers & sugar-using companies — which support 600K+ U.S. jobs. Learn how USMCA benefits the U.S. farm & food sector: https://t.co/4EzVKhqiJ2

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

Originally designed to restrict imports from entering the U.S. market, they are now regularly used to meet domestic demand — at the cost of U.S. food companies and consumers.

Learn more in our issue brief: https://t.co/U5EMVt94M3

[Sweetener Users Association @SweetenerUsers]

What are “high-tier” sugar imports?

They are sugar imports brought into the USA above country-specific duty-free or low-duty limits, making them subject to extremely high tariffs.