The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) says it plans to ask for a three-year extension of trade-promotion authority in order to negotiate new trade deals. Robert Lighthizer says those discussions could be with Japan, Vietnam, and other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership if they’re interested. Politico quotes Lighthizer as saying, “The Trump administration will aggressively negotiate trade deals …
Ag Groups Concerned About Trade Retaliation
U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers were both very disappointed in the Trump Administration’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. A statement says they have repeatedly warned of the risks of retaliation and the precedent set by such a policy would have potentially serious consequences for agriculture. The groups say it’s disappointing that …
Trump Will Impose New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
After hosting what the White House initially called a “listening” session, President Donald Trump took American investors by surprise Thursday. Trump announced to the group attending the meeting that he will be imposing the long-rumored steel and aluminum tariffs next week. A Zero Hedge Dot Com article says the president will impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and …
U.S. Ag Pays the Price for Trade Disputes
The Farmers for Free Trade Group released a report this week that highlights how American farmers and ranchers have paid the price in trade disputes. Consequences usually happen in the form of retaliatory tariffs. The report comes out as the Trump Administration makes a final decision on placing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. That would be on top of …
Treasury Secretary Mentions U.S. Possibly Re-joining TPP
It’s been over a year since President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the multinational Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the U.S. is willing to discuss possibly rejoining the trade pact. He spoke recently at an investment summit meeting sponsored by the U.S. Chamber. According to Mnuchin, renegotiating the agreement is “absolutely on the table” and he’s …
Hatch: Congress Will Act on NAFTA Withdrawal
Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch weighed in this week on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. The Senate Finance Committee Chair says Congress will intervene if President Trump follows through on his threat to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. He says, “We’d probably work hard to pass NAFTA, hopefully by a veto-proof vote, because it’s very important, …
Trump Says Re-entering TPP is “possible”
A Bloomberg report says President Trump would consider rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership if the U.S. could negotiate more favorable terms. Trump made the announcement during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last Friday. “TPP was a very bad deal for the United States,” said Trump. “There’s a possibility we could be going back in if offered …
Pressure Mounting in Mexico for NAFTA Round Seven
A report from Politico says the outcome of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks in Mexico could hinge on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The question is whether Lighthizer and the administration will be willing to work with some of Canada’s recent offers and others that Mexico will likely make this week. Speaking of Mexico, the planned meeting …
McKinney Predicts Trade Deal With Japan
The top USDA trade official, Ted McKinney, says he anticipates a trade deal with Japan will likely take place if the United States doesn’t re-enter into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. McKinney says he doesn’t know what the scope of the agreement will be but calls it “not a matter of if, but when.” He spoke about the topic during the Agricultural …
McKinney Leads Trade Mission to Central America
Ag Department Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Central America. The mission will be in Guatemala from February 26 to March 2nd. McKinney will be accompanied by a delegation of agribusiness and state government leaders who are looking to increase agricultural exports to Central America’s Northern Triangle of Guatemala, Honduras, …