beef

Japan Beef Tariff Increase Highlights Need for Trade Agreement

Dan Beef, Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Trade

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the increased tariff on beef imports to Japan underscores the “urgent need” for a bilateral trade agreement between Japan and the United States. Japan announced it would increase the tariff on frozen beef imports from 38.5 percent to 50 percent until April 2018. NCBA President Craig Uden says the tariffs “unfairly distort the market …

vilsack

Ag Industry Provides Testimony on NAFTA

Dan Dairy, Industry News Release, Trade

Dairy, poultry, grains, oilseeds and produce industry leaders told House Ag lawmakers this week that NAFTA modernization talks with Canada and Mexico should “do no harm” to their sectors, but only improve trade opportunities. ‘Preserve what’s working…strengthen what can be better…and fix what’s broken’ was the message from former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, now president and CEO of the US …

north

NAFTA is a Problem for U.S. Specialty Crop Industry

Dan Specialty Crops, Trade

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday to highlight opportunities for agriculture in the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Chairman Michael Conaway and members of the committee heard from various stakeholder groups on opportunities to achieve the best deal possible for American agriculture. One of those providing testimony was Executive Vice President of the …

NCBA CEO Testifies on Capitol Hill: “Please Do No Harm!”

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Trade

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Kendal Frazier testified on Capitol Hill in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and warned Congress against using the treaty’s renegotiation to resurrect failed policies like mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL). “Quite frankly, it is difficult to improve upon duty-free, unlimited access to Canada and Mexico, and we are pleased to see …

off act

NCBA CEO Testifies on NAFTA

Dan Beef, Cattle, Legislative, Trade

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Kendal Frazier testified this week before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee on Capitol Hill in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He discusses his testimony which supported keeping foreign markets open to American beef producers.

first

U.K. and U.S. Taking First Steps to Trade Deal

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

British International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer have taken the first steps towards a U.S.-U.K. free trade agreement. The duo recently met to create a working group that will “lay the groundwork” for a bilateral trade deal, according to Politico. However, official negotiations cannot begin until the United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union around …

nafta

Multiple Rounds of NAFTA Negotiations Expected

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

A top official from Mexico expects between six to nine rounds of negotiations between the United States, Mexico and Canada on the North America Free Trade Agreement. Mexico’s Economy Minister said last week the NAFTA members were looking at avoiding gaps of more than three weeks between negotiating rounds with a view to making quick progress, according to Reuters. The …

fried

Canada Wants Dispute Mechanism in NAFTA Redo

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

Canada says it is critical that the North American Free Trade Agreement includes a dispute resolution mechanism, setting up a potential clash with the United States once renegotiations begin next month. The United States goals for the NAFTA renegotiation released last week include a desire to ditch the Chapter 19 dispute settlement mechanism. That mechanism has hindered the U.S. from …

agriculture exports

U.S., China Sign Agreement to Provide Market Access for U.S. Rice Exports

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Thursday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reached a final agreement with Chinese officials to allow the United States to begin exporting rice to China for the first time. Secretary Perdue says the agreement has been in the works for more than a decade and says the agreement represents “an exceptional opportunity” with potential for …

trade deal

First Round of NAFTA Talks Scheduled

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

As expected, U.S. trade officials confirmed this week that North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations would begin August 16th, the first day allowed by U.S. law. The office of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced this week that the talks would kick off in Washington, D.C. on August 16th, and the initial rounds of negotiations are scheduled to wrap up …