USDA Deputy Secretary Details Trump Administration Work to Put American Farmers, Workers First

VAIL, CO – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden emphasized President Donald Trump’s continued commitment to putting American farmers and workers first in a keynote address yesterday at the International Sweetener Symposium.

“We put American farmers first, and we’re not going to allow unfair foreign competition to take our own markets away from us,” Deputy Secretary Vaden said.

Deputy Secretary Vaden noted that over-quota foreign sugar tariffs have not been updated in 26 years and expressed his support for industry efforts to update those tariffs.

“We’re all aware that the reason why sugar is in the condition that it is in, is because of a trade policy that has not favored domestic producers for far too long,” Deputy Secretary Vaden said. “There is a commitment across this administration to wherever the law allows us, put the finger on the scale for the American farmer, and that includes the American sugar farmer.”

The Trump Administration recognizes that a nation’s ability to feed itself is fundamental and that a strong U.S. sugar policy and fair trade rules reinforce both our national food security and rural economies.

“It’s not just about the farmer – it’s about the manufacturing jobs that you provide,” Deputy Secretary Vaden said. “It is important if we are to have a healthy and vibrant economy that we bring and reshore as many of those jobs back to this country as we can and for heaven’s sake, we don’t need to lose any more to foreign competitors.”

Deputy Secretary Vaden’s remarks were met with a standing ovation from the American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and industry stakeholders in the audience.

American sugar producers deeply appreciate their collaborative partnership with USDA. Secretary Brooke Rollins and Deputy Secretary Vaden’s leadership has strengthened rural communities, provided opportunities for farm families, and preserved domestic supply chains of essential ingredients like sugar.

“America’s sugar industry is standing at a precipice due to unfair foreign trade practices and other threats, but we are grateful to have Secretary Rollins and Deputy Secretary Vaden working diligently to defend our farmers and workers,” said Ryan Weston, incoming Chairman of the American Sugar Alliance, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Sugar Cane League, and Washington Representative for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers.

America’s sugar producers are proud to support more than 151,000 jobs coast to coast, including in the state of Colorado, and drive more than $23 billion in annual economic impact. The U.S. sugar industry will continue its collaboration with USDA to defend American sugar production and safeguard our national food security.