The Sugar Tariff Public-Private Partnership

The oldest, and one of the most powerful tariffs in the U.S. is the sugar tariff. Americans pay 3-5 times the world price for sugar, because of government prohibitions on imports. The sugar growers have a strong lobby, encouraging these restrictions, because they make more money. Corn syrup has become a substitute for sugar and as a result, most soft drinks and candies in the U.S. have corn syrup in them. Consequently, the corn syrup producers also hire lobbyists to maintain the restrictions on the importation of sugar.

In short, consumers suffer, corporations make more money, and politicians let it happen by protecting the corporate interests.

#economics #tariff #economy #imports #lobby #Lobbbyists