Rowan, the name 'golden syrup' can cause confusion (see post by MMario) in the U. S. and Canada. You are talking about a syrup made from cane. 'Golden' syrups here may be sorghum, corn or sugar beet. In the western states and western Canada, where sugar beets are grown, bulk cane sugar is not found, only sold in small packets or cubes; bulk must be special-ordered. Golden syrup made from cane is uncommon except in specialty stores; most sold here is corn or sorghum. This would not be true in Louisiana or states where sugar cane is grown.

For many purposes, cane sugar and sugar beet sugar can be interchanged; but in baking there is a difference. I made some cookies the other day and used cane sugar since I had found a small package and wanted to try it. The taste was quite different from those made with sugar from sugar beets.
Some bakers here get cane sugar for recipes requiring it from wholesalers, but one cannot buy cane sugar in bulk in the usual grocery and super market. In Canada, at least here in Alberta, the small quantities of cane sugar one finds in grocery stores come from Cuba and Brazil.

Maple syrups of different qualities are found in those provinces and states where it is collected. I once found some from Ohio that I liked; grades and preparation make a difference. Here in western Canada, the heavier grades must be special-ordered.