The top lawmaker on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee expressed concerns this week regarding the new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Bob Corker of Tennessee told The Hill he is “concerned about the steel and aluminum tariffs” that the U.S. and Canada both say are not connected to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that will replace the North American …
China Ambassador to U.S. Says China Wants to Engage in Talks
China wants to end the trade war with the U.S., according to its ambassador to the United States. In an exclusive interview with National Public Radio this week, the China ambassador to the United States says his country is “ready to make a deal” if they could find a trustworthy partner in Washington. The ambassador accused the United States of …
China Investment in U.S. Falling Sharply
Chinese investment in the United States has dropped 92 percent so far this year, amidst the tit-for-tat trade war launched by President Donald Trump. Analysts say the trade war may be hindering China’s economy. A Chinese investment analyst told the South China Morning Post that “China’s economy is slowing, its currency weakening, and the trade regime is faltering.” A market …
Florida and Georgia Renew Water Wars
Florida and Georgia have renewed their fight over the impact of Georgia’s water consumption on the Apalachicola River system. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late June that Florida be given another chance to prove its case that Georgia’s overconsumption of water is damaging the Apalachicola region, the states filed a joint legal pleading this week before a federal …
Congress Could Press for NAFTA Vote This Year
Republicans could push for a swift vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement if Congressional power swings to Democrats in the November elections. Some Republicans in the Senate are pushing to approve the new trade deal this year, if the party loses majority in the House. The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, and if one of the chambers …
USDA Launches Interactive Data Tool to Help Rural Communities Address the Opioid Crisis
New Community Assessment Tool Empowers Rural Leaders to Make Data-Driven Decisions to Build Resilient Communities Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an interactive data tool to help community leaders build grassroots strategies to address the opioid epidemic. “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to …
USMCA Deters China’s Efforts of FTA’s With Mexico, Canada
A clause in the upgraded and renamed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) nearly forbids deals with “non-market” countries, such as China. The language deep in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMEC) marks another blow in the tit-for-tat trade war the U.S. is leveraging against China. Reuters points out that the clause, which has stirred controversy in Canada, fits in with …
USCMA: Turkey and Poultry Trade Changes with Canada
In another win for U.S. agriculture, the upgraded North American Free Trade Agreement includes expanded access to the Canadian market for U.S. chicken and turkey products. Dairy stole the show in the negotiations, but the U.S. will also gain the market share in turkey in poultry if all three countries approve the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Meat industry publication Meatingplace …
DTN Poll: Farmers Continue Supporting Trump
A recent poll by DTN-The Progressive Farmer finds rural Americans continue supporting President Donald Trump. The poll asked rural residents if, given a chance, they would cast their ballots differently than they had in 2016. More than 70 percent said no. Further, the survey shows support for Republican candidates, for President Trump, himself, and for his trade policies. In addition …
Farm Real Estate Levels Remain Near Record Highs
Farm real estate values remain near record levels set in 2015, despite a significant drop in farm income and a weak farm economy. The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service says the value of U.S. farm real estate is a critical barometer of farm financial performance, that’s because farm real estate, including land and the structures on the land, generally …