Farmers for Free Trade Launching $500,000 Ad Campaign on Trade

Farmers for Free Trade is gearing up for a half-million-dollar ad campaign for a new television ad warning against the aggressive trade policies of President Trump. Farmers for Free Trade says those policies make agriculture a prime target against trade retaliation. The ad will highlight Montana grain and oilseed farmer Michelle Erickson-Jones. It’s scheduled to run on Fox and Friends, …

U.S. Will Engage With TPP-11 Countries Regarding Fair Trade

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States will engage TPP-11 members, emphasizing a need for “fairness” in expanding trade relationships with nations involved in the pact. TPP-11, now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, or the CPTPP, was signed last week by the 11 remaining nations involved in the agreement. Tillerson made the comments last …

Soy Growers Worried About Possible Trade Disruptions at U.S. Ports

The American Soybean Association and its grower-members are urging labor union and port management representatives to get back to the negotiating table and resume bargaining talks. The ASA is concerned about possible trade disruptions at East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ports, which would negatively impact agricultural and food product exports to key markets. The ASA joined several industry stakeholders …

Business, Farm, Union Groups React to Trump’s Tariffs

Reaction to the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports has been mixed among different sectors of the economy. The Hagstrom Report says Business Roundtable President and CEO Joshua Bolten calls the tariffs a major unforced error by President Trump that will put America’s economic progress at risk. He says, “The tariffs will cause significant harm to industries that rely on …

Mexico, Canada Don’t Want Tariff Exemptions Tied to NAFTA

Mexico and Canada were happy to hear about President’s Trump’s willingness to exclude them from tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. However, they expect any talks about a possible permanent exemption to take place outside of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Politico quotes the Mexican Economy Ministry in a release that says, “The process of …

TPP Leaves U.S. Behind

The 11 remaining Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries officially left the U.S. behind Thursday, signing an amended agreement that does not include the United States. The 11 nations signed what is now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership the same day the U.S. moved to a more trade protectionist status, rolling out tariffs for steel and aluminum imports. …

Canada Staying Calm and Constructive Amidst Trade Talks

As President Donald Trump has ratcheted up the conversation on trade, Canada is sticking to it’s “keep-calm” strategy. While the European Union immediately offered a list of targeted U.S. products in response to Trump’s tariff plan for steel and aluminum, Reuters says Canada is trying to stay constructive, and use negotiations for a better outcome. For now, the tariff plan …

Coalition Formed to Fight Steel, Aluminum Tariffs

Industry and agriculture groups have formed a coalition to address the proposed steel and aluminum tariffs by President Donald Trump. The National Foreign Trade Council announced formation of the Alliance for Competitive Steel and Aluminum Trade this week. The coalition includes industrial and agriculture groups, such as the National Pork Producers Council, The American Soybean Association and U.S. Wheat Associates. …