The Dominican Republic has negotiated a deal to export sugar to China with a preferential tariff. Federico Cuello, ambassador in charge of negotiations with the World Trade Organization, said the DR has joined a group of countries that will benefit from a quota of 1,680,000 metric tons of sugar that will enter China paying a 20% tariff up to 31 December 2003. Thereafter, a 15% tariff will apply. The quota will be increased 5% per year, until it reaches 1,945,000 metric tons in 2004. The DR will be able to export sugar beyond the quota limit paying a 50% tariff. The normal tariff is 70%. In the past, DR producers have had to import sugar to meet US quota requirements. This deal would permit the DR to import sugar from the US and re-export it to China.
