What a rollercoaster few weeks it’s been!
No sooner had the dust settled on a relatively tame Queensland state election, than we found ourselves tossed straight into the whirlwind of US presidential politics.
Even from halfway across the world, the tension was palpable, with the result creating shockwaves that are still rippling across global politics.
The re-election of Donald Trump has left governments everywhere scrambling to reassess what the next four years might mean for them.
For those of us in agriculture, it’s a nerve-wracking time. We’re already seeing signs that trade will be high on Trump’s agenda, but not necessarily in a way that favours our industry.
Trump has been vocal about his plan to introduce blanket tariffs on goods entering the US, a move that could directly impact Australia’s agricultural trade, which currently holds a $4 billion stake in the US market.
While the US isn’t a particularly large market for Australian sugar, it’s still an important and lucrative one.
For decades we’ve had to contend with a powerful American sugar industry that jealously guards its market share and actively lobbies for tight import quotas.
As a result, Australia’s sugar quota sits at a mere 90,000 tonnes – less than 3% of our exports.
But despite this, the US remains a valuable market for us, one that we’re constantly seeking more access to.
The next four years could be interesting, to say the least.
With Trump’s unpredictability in trade matters, we’ll need to stay nimble and keep advocating for the interests of our sugarcane growers.
CANEGROWERS remains committed to lobbying on Capitol Hill, pushing for policies that protect our trade interests and open doors for increased access.
These global dynamics are often out of our control, but what we can control is our response.
We’ll keep working hard to ensure the voices of Queensland’s sugarcane growers are heard loud and clear.
After all, every challenge is an opportunity, and together, we’re ready to navigate whatever comes next.
