The U.S. Trade Representative’s new chief agricultural negotiator opened his doors on Friday to major agriculture industry groups. Greg Doud invited them in for meetings to discuss priorities and concerns about the North American Free Trade Talks and other trade negotiations. Farm groups representing commodity producers and agricultural processing associations likely expressed a lot of fears that tariffs against China …
Chinese Ambassador on Possible Soybean Trade Sanctions
As the world’s two largest economies appear to be moving closer to a possible trade war, U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad is warning China about the consequences of trade sanctions on U.S. soybeans. Branstad told Bloomberg Television that any attempts to cut down on U.S. soybean imports would hurt Chinese consumers more than it would American farmers. The crop provides a …
Lighthizer Hopeful of New NAFTA Deal
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told CNBC television Wednesday he is “hopeful” there will be compromise and a deal reached on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). His comments follow those from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who earlier this week said a “win-win-win deal is not only possible but likely.” Lighthizer said Wednesday he is optimistic the three …
KORUS Agreement a Relief to Agriculture
Agriculture was ‘left out’ of the U.S.-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement renegotiation effort, a relief to the sector. For many in agriculture, there was more to lose than gain in the renegotiation effort. The U.S. is the largest supplier of beef to Korea and the second largest pork supplier. Data from the U.S. Meat Export Federation shows red meat exports …
Protecting Ag from Trade Retaliation
Many in the agricultural sector are worried about possible retaliation against the U.S. for announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. But according to a story from Rod Bain, the President’s Special Assistant for Agriculture says the White House will do everything in its power to protect the farm sector from the impacts of potential retaliatory trade actions. Protecting Ag …
Trade Coalition Launches Effort Against U.S. Tariffs
A new effort seeks to protect U.S. agriculture from trade retaliation. Americans for Farmers and Families Tuesday announced the “Retaliation Hurts Rural Families” project. Former Missouri state lawmaker and spokesperson for the project, Casey Guernsey, says the effort will help farmers and ranchers “communicate with one voice” to the Trump administration that “rural and farming communities must be heard.” The …
China: U.S. “Severely Damaged” Multilateral Trade
Steel and aluminum tariffs crafted by the Trump administration based on national security have “severely damaged” the multilateral trade system, according to officials from China. In a translated news release, a Chinese trade official says the nation will take legal actions through the World Trade Organization to “maintain the stability and authority” of multilateral trade. The comment came late last …
Trade Tiff with China Serves as Negotiating Primer
A leading U.S. agricultural economist suggests that the trade issues with China serve as a vehicle for negotiations. Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt says China may be simply signaling the U.S. that the nation wants to negotiate, just as the U.S. has seemed to signal to China in crafting the tariffs. That seems to be the case, too, according …
AEM’s Slater: Lift Steel Tariffs to Support Manufacturers
AEM President Dennis Slater issued the following statement last week Friday in response to President Trump’s import tariffs on steel taking effect: Equipment manufacturers remain disappointed at President Trump for allowing harmful steel tariffs to go into effect today. While exemptions for our strategic partners are encouraging, AEM opposes any steel tariffs as they will disrupt the entire global trading …
China Retaliations to Harm U.S. Ag
Agriculture groups say trade retaliations from China will “costs farmers their livelihoods.” China announced retaliation efforts to the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. The American Soybean Association says “It’s extremely frustrating” the administration is targeting the nation’s largest trading partner during a time of low farm income. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall echoed those comments, stating …