1. Should sugar continue to be a protected commodity? Why or why not?

2. Should the U.S. consumer continue to fund protection for U.S. sugar farmers? Why or why not?

Sugar is the most trade-distorted commodity on the world market. Both the EU and the U.S. protect their domestic sugar producers. In the U.S., the protection amounts to a subsidy of $1.5 million per year for every protected job. Businesses reliant on sugar have been leaving the U.S. to be able to access their sugar supply at world prices, which is not permitted in the protected U.S. markets.