When it comes to the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), many wonder what some of the expected immediate and long-range U.S. ag trade benefits are. Rod Bain takes a look at that new trade agreement.
NCGA: Trade Aid Comes up Short
The National Corn Growers Association says the second round of trade aid payments provide virtually no relief. According to NCGA the payments, released by the White House last week, sets the payment rate for corn at just one cent per bushel, despite the fact that corn farmers have suffered an average 44 cent per bushel loss since tariffs were first …
Ag Must Be Part Of U.S.-EU Trade Deal, Groups Insist
An ad hoc coalition of more than 50 food and agriculture organizations is insisting that any trade deal between the United States and the European Union include agriculture and that it address the EU’s restrictive tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. farm products. In a letter sent to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 53 organizations, led by the National Pork …
Round Two of Trade Mitigation Payments Coming from USDA
The second round of trade mitigation payments will be coming to aid farmers and ranchers affected by the trade retaliation from other countries. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made the announcement today after being authorized by President Donald Trump. It will be the final round of trade mitigation payments that were originally announced back in July in response to …
African Swine Fever in China Could Affect Trade
African swine fever continues to be a significant problem in China. Craig Morris, National Pork Board vice president of international marketing, said if the issue continues, or possibly gets worse, it could affect pork markets across the board.
Farm Bureau Board Endorses USMCA Agreement
The board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation recommended swift passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Exports to Canada and Mexico under USMCA’s predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, increased from $8.9 billion to $39 billion yearly. The USMCA would retain those gains while adding improvements in terms of trade for poultry, eggs, dairy and wine. AFBF, …
Cattlemen Urge Action to Reduce Trade Barriers in Japan
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester urged the Trump Administration to move quickly to tear down trade barriers for U.S. beef in Japan. Speaking at a public hearing on the potential economic impact of a U.S.-Japan bilateral trade agreement, Kester noted that reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers would benefit Japanese consumers and U.S. cattle producers. Japan is the top …
Market Facilitation Program Payments Stuck at OMB
Farmers thought they’d have more details on the second round of USDA trade-aid payments by now. However, Farm Journal says the payments are still under negotiations. USDA is negotiating with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for that second round of payments under the Market Facilitation Program. USDA had originally intended to release the information today, Monday, December 10, …
Dairy Farmers Want Access to Japan
America’s dairy farmers are urging President Trump to work on opening up the Japanese market as soon as possible. Officials are getting ready to begin trade talks between the two countries next month. The National Milk Producers Federation was one of four groups that gave testimony at the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the potential trade pact. The Office …
U.S. Beef Gains New Market Access in Morocco
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the government of Morocco has agreed to allow imports of U.S. beef and beef products into Morocco. 2018 is the first year that U.S. beef and poultry exporters have access to Morocco’s market under the terms of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Morocco opened its …