Sugar trade deal not so sweet

The government says the new Trans-Pacific Partnership boosts trade across the region but isn't such a good deal for Australian canegrowers.

Sugar is shaping up as the most controversial commodity in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

As well as boosting trade with the US, the government says the deal will open up markets in Vietnam, Malaysia, Chile and Canada and usher in a new era of opportunity across the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

Service providers, miners and manufacturers will benefit from slashed tariffs, while farmers will reap an extra $1 billion from cuts to export levies on beef, dairy, wine, rice, horticulture and seafood in a number of markets.

The deal signed in the US on Monday will see tariffs for beef cut by another nine per cent and, for the first time in decades, rice growers will be able to send more product to Japan.

But for Australian canegrowers, the deal isn't so sweet.

While access to the US market will double, the outcome is well below what the cane growers had sought.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb conceded he couldn't secure the increase he wanted, prompting lobby group Canegrowers to describe the $16 million boost as bittersweet.

Government MP George Christensen said he was prepared to cross the floor of the House of Representatives to vote against the government.

Despite welcoming the freshly-inked 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership as a win for agriculture, the Nationals backbencher says the deal is only "OK" for sugar.

"Across the sugar industry this deal has been met with mixed emotions and I feel likewise," he said in a statement.

"I will be reserving my right to cross the floor on the deal, depending on the outcome of other factors plaguing the sugar industry."

Unions are also wary.

The ACTU fears there could be many harmful elements and believes there's a great probability the deal isn't balanced and doesn't protect Australian jobs.

"You have to wonder, if it's such a good deal, why are the details hidden," president Ged Kearney said.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world