USTR Sets Sugar Trade Balance Figures, Tariff Treatments for 11 Countries

December 14, 2012 by Mike Feazel|USTR

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it determined the amount of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products from Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama, in accordance with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The determination is effective Jan. 1. The determination relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the U.S. grants preferential tariff treatment under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, and the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. Further information: Ann Heilman-Dahl, 202-395-6127. Its decisions include:

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Chile's imports of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its exports of those goods by 528,124 metric tons according to data published by the Ministro de Agricultura de Chile. Based on this data, USTR determines that Chile's trade surplus is negative. So goods of Chile are not eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free.
During CY 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, Morocco's imports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its exports of those goods by 880,867 metric tons according to data published by its customs authority, so Morocco's trade surplus is negative, and goods of Morocco are not eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free.
During CY 2011, Costa Rica's exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its imports of those goods by 17,670 metric tons according to data published by the Costa Rican Customs Department, so Costa Rica's trade surplus is 17,670 metric tons. As a result, the aggregate quantity of goods of Costa Rica that may be entered duty-free is the lesser of Costa Rica's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Costa Rica for CY 2013.
During CY 2011, the Dominican Republic's imports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its exports of those goods by 3,066 metric tons according to data published by the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic, so the Dominican Republic's trade surplus is 3,066 metric tons. Therefore, the aggregate quantity of goods of the Dominican Republic that may be entered duty-free in CY 2013 is 3,066 metric tons.
During CY 2011, El Salvador's exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 198,359 metric tons according to data published by the Ministro de Economia de El Salvador, so El Salvador's trade surplus is 198,359 metric tons. Therefore, the aggregate quantity of goods of El Salvador that may be entered duty-free in CY 2013 is 31,000 metric tons.
During CY 2011, Guatemala's exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its imports of those goods by 1,311,620 metric tons according to data published by the Asociacion de Azucareros de Guatemala, so Guatemala's trade surplus is 1,311,620 metric tons. The aggregate quantity of goods of Guatemala that may be entered duty-free is the lesser of Guatemala's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Guatemala for CY 2013.
During CY 2011, Honduras' exports of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its imports of those goods by 52,492 metric tons according to data published by the Honduran Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI), so Honduras' trade surplus is 52,492 metric tons. Therefore, the aggregate quantity of goods of Honduras that may be entered duty-free in CY 2013 is 9,120 metric tons.
During CY 2011, Nicaragua's exports of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its imports of those goods by 206,806 metric tons according to data published by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade, so Nicaragua's trade surplus is 206,806 metric tons. Therefore, the aggregate quantity of goods of Nicaragua that may be entered duty-free in CY 2013 is 25,080 metric tons.
During CY 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, Peru's imports of sugar goods exceeded its exports of those goods by 212,217 metric tons, according to data published by the Superintendencia Nacional de Administracion Tributaria, so USTR determines that Peru's trade surplus is negative, and goods of Peru are not eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free in CY 2013.
During CY 2011, Colombia's exports of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its imports of those goods by 621,365 metric tons according to data published by USDA Global Trade Atlas, so Colombia's trade surplus is 621,365 metric tons. Therefore, the aggregate quantity of goods of Colombia that may be entered duty-free in CY 2013 is 50,750 metric tons.
During CY 2011, Panama's imports of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products exceeded its exports of those goods by 531 metric tons according to data published by National Institute of Statistics and Census, Office of the General Comptroller of Panama, so Panama's trade surplus is negative, and goods of Panama are not eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free.