The U.S. will impose anti-subsidy duties of up to 17.01% on Mexican sugar imports which could increase the price of U.S. soft drinks and candy and could result in retaliatory actions by Mexico on other products such as high fructose corn syrup. The duties were decided upon after the U.S. sugar industry complained of unfair competition because of subsidized sweeteners receiving support from the Mexican government, causing nearly $1 billion in damages to the domestic market. U.S. sugar users, manufacturers, and Mexican mills have all opposed the move claiming that the restriction of sugar imports would impede free trade under the North American Free Trade Act and would leave consumers to pay higher prices.
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