Earlier this week, President Trump signed the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which is an important step forward with U.S. agriculture’s fourth-largest export market. During a media conference call Thursday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Director of International Trade and Market Access, Kent Bacus, said this is a monumental development. According to NCBA, in 2018 Japanese consumers purchased $2.07 billion of U.S. …
Strong August U.S. Pork Exports, Beef Exports Trail Last Year
U.S. pork exports posted very strong results in August, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), but beef exports were below the record-large totals of August 2018. Joe Schuele has more details. August pork exports increased 22% from a year ago to 221,586 metric tons (mt), while export value climbed 19% to …
VP Pence Calls on Congress to Pass USMCA
(NAFB) — Vice President Mike Pence spent time early this week promoting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) while calling on Congress to pass the trade deal. Pence penned an editorial in the Arizona Daily Star promoting the trade agreement. The Vice President also toured a Tyson Foods facility in Tennessee. Meanwhile, in a White House statement, Pence says USMCA will add …
President Trump Signs U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement; Ag Groups Respond
American Farm Bureau Federation Farmers and Ranchers Celebrate Japanese Trade Deal, Look Forward to More (AFBF-Oct. 7, 2019) — President Trump signed the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which is an important step forward with U.S. agriculture’s fourth-largest export market. The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Today’s signing marks the successful end to more than a …
U.S. Trade Deficit Narrow with China
(NAFB) — The United States’ trade deficit with China is as small as it’s been in recent months. U.S. exports hit a five-month high, which Bloomberg says is a possible sign of goodwill from China as the two nations continue to try and resolve their trade war. According to data released late last week by the Commerce Department, the trade …
NMPF on U.S. Response to Illegal EU Subsidies Under WTO
ARLINGTON, VA (NMPF-Oct. 3, 2019) — “Subsidies and barriers that handicap U.S. businesses in the global marketplace by violating international trade commitments shouldn’t be tolerated. We strongly support the World Trade Organization’s imposition of $7.5 billion in retaliatory duties on European products, including dairy foods, to prod the EU to uphold its World Trade Organization commitments and reinforce the importance …
McConnell, Others, Optimistic on USMCA
(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hopes lawmakers can reach a resolution on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement soon. Speaking to CNBC this week, McConnell says “USMCA is something we can agree on,” referring to the Democrat-led House of Representatives and Republican-led Senate. President Donald Trump announced the three nations reached an agreement one year ago this week. Concerns regarding the …
McConnell Tells Democrats “Time to Act on USMCA”
(NAFB) — Much of Washington, D.C., is consumed with questions about Ukraine and the impeachment inquiry. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly scolded Democrats’ handling of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Politico says McConnell wants House Democrats to pass the North American trade agreement, noting that “the time for excuses is over.” Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said Democrats …
China Buys U.S. Ag Products Ahead of Next Round of Talks
(NAFB) — Late last week, China said it’s already bought a considerable number of U.S. soybeans and pork as it prepares for the next round of trade talks with Washington, D.C. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce says both countries are in “close communication” ahead of the next round of talks. A ministry spokesman says as China has ramped up its …
Impeachment Inquiry Could Dampen Chances of USMCA
(NAFB) — House Democrats seeking to impeach President Donald Trump spells trouble for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA). White House officials claim the effort has “destroyed any chances of legislative progress.” Meanwhile, Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says if Democrats in the House use impeachment proceedings as a basis to not act on policy, the effort will halt progress on USMCA. …