AEM’s Slater: Trump Tariffs Won’t Help U.S. Manufacturers ‘Win’ Again

AEM worked to discourage President Trump from imposing heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum imports after the president said he intended to do just that this week. AEM is assessing the impact of Trump’s announcement last week that he would impose 25 percent import tariffs on steel and 10 percent import tariffs on aluminum. “President Trump shouldn’t undercut his own …

No Tariff Exceptions for Canada/Mexico

Bloomberg is reporting that there will be no exceptions for Canada and Mexico when it comes to potential tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The only way they get exempted from the tariffs will be if they sign a new North American Free Trade Agreement that’s better for America. “Canada must treat American farmers better and Mexico must stop drugs …

NAFTA Round Seven Wrapped Up Monday and Facing More Questions

The seventh round of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) wrapped up Monday in Mexico City. The three countries have taken some incremental steps toward agreements on some of the lower-level issues. However, trade negotiators and almost anyone else interested in the NAFTA negotiations acknowledged that the looming threat of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum …

European Union Will Hit Back Against U.S. Tariffs

The President of the European Commission says he’ll “bring forward in the next few days a proposal for WTO-compatible countermeasures against the U.S.” Politico says the move is intended to hit back against the steel and aluminum tariffs announced on Thursday by President Trump. The Commission says the 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent on aluminum will directly …

Senate Confirms Key USTR Nominees

The National Cotton Council is pleased with the Senate’s confirmation of key officials in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The Senate confirmed Gregg Doud as USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Dennis Shea as Deputy USTR (Geneva) and C. J. Mahoney as Deputy USTR (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere). Earlier this year, the NCC …

USTR Wants Renewal of Trade-Promotion Authority

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) says it plans to ask for a three-year extension of trade-promotion authority in order to negotiate new trade deals. Robert Lighthizer says those discussions could be with Japan, Vietnam, and other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership if they’re interested. Politico quotes Lighthizer as saying, “The Trump administration will aggressively negotiate trade deals …

Ag Groups Concerned About Trade Retaliation

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers were both very disappointed in the Trump Administration’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. A statement says they have repeatedly warned of the risks of retaliation and the precedent set by such a policy would have potentially serious consequences for agriculture. The groups say it’s disappointing that …