Open the CAFTA document and go to page 20 to read what it says about 'sugar'.
Article 3.15: Sugar Compensation Mechanism
1. In any year, the United States may, at its option, apply a mechanism that results in compensation to a Partys exporters of sugar goods in lieu of according duty-free treatment to some or all of the duty-free quantity of sugar goods established for that Party in the United States
Schedule to Annex 3.3. Such compensation shall be equivalent to the estimated economic rents that the Partys exporters would have obtained on exports to the United States of any such amounts of sugar goods and shall be provided within 30 days after this option is exercised. The United States shall provide the Party with 90 days prior notice of its intent to exercise this option and, upon request, will enter into consultations with the Party regarding the application of the mechanism.
2. For purposes of this Article, sugar good means a good provided for in the tariff items listed in subparagraph 3(c) of Annex 1 to the U.S. Schedule to Annex 3.3.
Further search to read what it says about 'sugar'.
1806.10
A change to subheading 1806.10 from any other heading, provided that such products of 1806.10 containing 90% or more by dry weight of sugar do not contain non-originating
sugar of chapter 17 and that products of 1806.10 containing less than 90% by dry weight of sugar do not contain more than 35% by weight of non-originating sugar of chapter 17.
Annex 4.1-12 DRAFT
Subject to Legal Review for Accuracy, Clarity, and Consistency January 28, 2004 subheading except from heading 22.03 through 22.09;
A change to sugar syrups of subheading 2106.90 from any other chapter, except from chapter 17;
Increased sugar market access for Central America and the Dominican Republic in the first year under the CAFTA-DR amounts to only a small portion of U.S. sugar production. The increased access is equal to little more than one days production in the United States.Source: Office of the U.S. Trade ReprentativeIn the first year, increased sugar market access for Central America and the Dominican Republic under the CAFTA-DR will amount to about 1.2 percent of current U.S. sugar consumption, growing very slowly over 15 years to about 1.7 percent of current consumption. Total U.S. sugar imports have declined by about one-third since the mid-1990s. Sugar imports under the CAFTA-DR would not come close to returning total U.S. sugar imports to those levels.
U.S. over-quota tariffs on sugar will not change under the CAFTA-DR. The U.S. over-quota tariff is prohibitive at well over 100 percent, one of the highest tariffs in the U.S. tariff schedule.
That's exactly what I'm talking about.
It also opens industries in those countries to competition from US companies, including such government monopolies as telecommunications and insurance.
The price for this would be some marginally reduced cost for sugar for American consumers.
The people who oppose this agreement drive me nuts.