A review of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade (KORUS) Agreement by South Korea claims to show little basis to support the U.S. desire for renegotiation. A South Korea-based newspaper reports that Korea submitted an analysis to Washington, D.C. showing that preferential U.S. duties as part of KORUS had almost no direct effect on the increase in South Korean exports to the U.S. over …
Canada “Extremely Worried” About NAFTA Direction
Canada is “extremely worried” behind the scenes regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. News network CTV of Canada reports the latest round of negotiations has caused concerns. The U.S. has since tabled a measure to dismantle Canada’s dairy supply management system, but the issue is likely to come up again. Canada refuses to make changes to the …
Trade Negotiators at Odds Over NAFTA Proposals
Trade negotiators are accusing each other of sabotaging attempts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following the latest round of talks. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland accused the U.S. of pursuing a “winner take all” approach. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said of the talks that the NAFTA trade partners do not seem “willing to make any …
Ag Exports Key to Trump NAFTA Deficit Strategy
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says agricultural exports are key to achieving President Donald Trump’s plan for reducing the trade deficit with NAFTA members. The White House says more ag exports into Canada and Mexico through the North American Free Trade Agreement will help reduce the trade deficit, and Senator Roberts agrees. Roberts spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Robert …
TPP Members Nearing Agreement
As the U.S. remains focused on reworking the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and to a lesser extent, the U.S.-Korea Free (KORUS) Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is heading closer to reality. TPP was worth an estimated $4 billion annually to U.S. agriculture. However, upon taking office ten months ago, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the …
NAFTA Talks Reach Standstill
Agriculture and other contentious issues proposed by the U.S. during round four of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks have stalled the renegotiation effort. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have now agreed to extend the talks into 2018, failing to meet the Trump Administration’s goal to conclude the talks by the end of this year. The move comes …
NMPF Comments on Round 4 of NAFTA Negotiations
“We are pleased that U.S. trade negotiators have told Canada that its problematic dairy policies must be addressed in the negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “The proposal advanced by the U.S. Trade Representative is the right approach to move dairy trade between our two countries closer to the free trade relationship that exists for most other …
Perdue Talks About Successful European Trip
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue toured Europe, speaking with officials from several different countries about a variety of issues, including trade. After stops in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, Perdue said the trip has been very productive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would be withdrawing the interim final rule under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards …
Initial Progress Made on U.S.-Japan Trade Issues
The U.S. and Japan in a joint statement said the two nations have made “initial progress” on trade issues. The statement comes as Vice President Mike Pence talked with Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister earlier this week. The Joint statement says some “initial progress” on bilateral trade issues such as lifting import restrictions on Japanese persimmons and Idaho potatoes, according to …
NAFTA Commodity Groups Unite to Urge Negotiation Success
U.S. commodity export groups, along with counterparts from Canada and Mexico, are reiterating their support for free trade. The U.S. Grains Council, along with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Corn Growers, and others, met with counterparts from Canada and Mexico last week. As round four of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations conclude, the groups …