Comments to the Trade Policy Staff Committee - Sweetener Users ...

We believe the U.S. proposal calling for an 83 percent reduction in amber box subsidies for more
heavily subsidized trading partners will help make U.S. agriculture more competitive. However,
such reductions should apply on a commodity-by-commodity basis, not on an aggregate basis.
Moreover, mechanisms should be established to ensure that no commodity is allowed to enjoy a
level of subsidy in excess of that which presently prevails, or which prevailed during a
subsequently selected base period.
The Doha Round agricultural negotiations represent an important opportunity to secure gains for
U.S. agricultural and food industries; to further rationalize market-distorting policies worldwide;
and to structure trade policy in a way that considers the interests of all affected U.S. parties, not
just currently protected industries.