Jeff Flake, Senate Republican from Arizona, has lifted his hold on the nomination of Gregg Doud as chief agriculture negotiator. Flake had placed his hold on the President Trump nominee because he was upset about a Trump proposal in the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The proposal would have allowed Florida tomato producers to use U.S. trade remedy laws …
Report Says Trade Shuffle Poses Risk for Beef Exports
Demand and production for beef may rise this year, but trade remains a wildcard that poses risks to the beef export market, according to a new report by CoBank. The report says trade uncertainty could hamper the U.S.’s ability to capture market share in the coming years. CoBank says 80 percent of beef exports are sold to countries that could …
State Ag Officials Want Bilateral Trade Talks to Commence
State agriculture officials are questioning the Trump Administration on the promise of creating new bilateral trade deals. During a meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members commented on the lack of new bilateral agreements, as promised by the administration a year ago. Trump promised bilateral agreements as he withdrew the U.S. from …
Farmers Pressuring Trump Administration on Trade
Agriculture groups have increased their pressure on the U.S. to negotiate and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement, rather than withdraw. U.S. Representative Ron Kind, a Democrat from Wisconsin, says farmers voices are being heard by the president and trade negotiators. Trade Kind, who supports modernizing the trade agreement, says there are ways to improve the agreement without losing …
Senator Says Trump Can’t Unilaterally Withdraw from NAFTA
Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico is urging Congress to “step up” and tell President Trump that there is widespread support for the North American Free Trade Agreement modernization effort, but not an exit from the trade deal. The Democrat says Trump “cannot unilaterally repeal” trade laws regarding NAFTA, “even if he can issue unilateral statements” regarding NAFTA participation, according …
Commerce Secretary Ross: NAFTA Talks Far from Over
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC that the North American Free Trade Agreement re-negotiations are “far from being completed.” While noting that progress was made on easier provisions, he says “very little has been done on the hard issues,” including automotive trade and agriculture. Ross says President Trump could still choose to withdrawal from the agreement, saying a final renegotiated …
Secretary Perdue to Speak at World Meat Conference This Summer
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will speak at this summer’s World Meat Congress in Dallas, Texas. Taking place May 30th through June first, Perdue will address participants on Thursday morning, May 31st, during the “Global Politics of Food” session. The U.S. Meat Export Federation, the organization hosting the global event, announced the appearance by Perdue. USMEF CEO Emeritus Philip Seng says …
Trump Says U.S. Open to TPP, If Better Deal Negotiated
President Donald Trump has left the door open to rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership through comments in a recent speech. However, the now TPP 11 countries may not be as welcoming, forging ahead to sign an agreement in March. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last week, Trump said of the TPP nations, the U.S. would consider negotiating with them …
NAFTA Talks to Continue, Optimism Increasing
Talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are at a “much better point,” according to trade officials from Mexico. Speaking at the conclusion of the latest round of talks held in Canada, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said: “We finally began to discuss the core issues.” All three sides agreed to language governing anti-corruption during the latest …
Agri View: Agriculture Trade Changes
Everett Griner talks about the United States out of TPP Trade Group in today’s Agri View. Agriculture Trade Changes If you know anything at all about agriculture you will know the importance of export trade. Particularly, every crop we grow/produce commercially, is involved in this process. I have talked many times about NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Which …