While the United States remains engaged in a trade disruptive environment, the European Union and Japan have signed a free trade agreement. The agreement, signed Tuesday, is hoped to counteract the protectionist trade environment fueled by the U.S. and President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. The agreement creates one of the world’s largest open economic areas. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo …
Trade War Endangers Farmers, Farm Bureau Tells Congress
American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Scott VanderWal and Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening warned Congress that many farms will lose money and even go out of business entirely if the growing trade war continues. Each called for a resumption of talks and removal of tariffs that are undoing decades of progress in trade. Kevin Paap, president of the …
Perdue: Farmers Can’t Pay Bills on Patriotism
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Tuesday called farmers “some of the best patriots in America,” while speaking at an event, but said farmers “can’t pay the bills with patriotism.” Perdue made the comments at Axios 360, an event held by news website Axios, in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning. Perdue says farmers and ranchers are “bearing the brunt” of the ongoing trade …
U.S. Says Retaliatory Tariffs Unjustified in WTO Complaint
The U.S. struck back at retaliating nations this week, filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. complaint says the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the Trump administration were justified, but claim retaliation in response to the tariffs from trading partners was not justified. The complaint includes China, the European Union, Turkey, Canada and Mexico. In …
Mexico and Canada Want NAFTA Conclusion This Year
Mexico and Canada want to wrap up the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement this year, according to the Hagstrom Report. While in Washington, D.C. this week, The Mexican ambassador to the United States says the incoming Mexican president wants NAFTA to “be completed before he takes office on December 1.” An official from Canada said the nation …
U.S.-China Dispute Harming Canadian Soybean Growers
Soybean farmers in Canada are feeling the impact of the U.S.-China trade war as soybean prices decline. CNBC reports that while Canadian soybean farmers could see an increased market share from importing nations, experts say the current soybean market plays a much more significant role. Since April, soybean futures have dropped nearly 20 percent in the United States, and Canadian …
Ag Shippers: NAFTA Trade War Costly
Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz says trade disruptions are threatening to undermine an otherwise robust economy. The rail company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, told the Omaha World-Herald that the current trade disruption: “Affects the 7,300 communities Union Pacific serves.” Specifically, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation effort is harming U.S. railways. About 40 percent of Union Pacific traffic …
Chinese Trade Surplus with U.S. Hits High Amid Tariff Concerns
The Chinese trade surplus with the United States hit a record number in June as its exports grew at a solid pace, something that could possibly make a trade dispute with Washington, D.C., that much worse. A Nasdaq.com article points out that it could be a “one-off” as Chinese exporters were rushing to get shipments out before tariffs went into …
McKinney to Lead Trade Mission to Southeast Asia
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Southeast Asia July 16-19. He’ll be joined by U.S. business and state government leaders who are seeking to expand agricultural opportunities in Southeast Asia. The trade mission will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia, but will also include delegations of buyers from Malaysia and …
U.S. to Further Implement Trade Tariffs
The U.S. plans to implement more tariffs on China as part of an ongoing trade war between the two countries. In a statement released this week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says he was ordered by President Trump to begin the process of imposing tariffs of ten percent on an additional $200 billion of Chinese imports. The tariffs will follow …