Trade leaders from South Korea and the United States met for the first time last week to discuss the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The Trump administration has targeted the free trade agreement for renegotiation, or even termination. A South Korea-based news agency reports U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with South Korea’s Trade Minister to “discuss ways to move forward” …
Froman Says NAFTA Withdraw a Very Real Prospect
Former U.S. Trade Representative during the Obama administration Michael Froman says a U.S. withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement is still “a very real prospect.” Froman spoke last week in Washington, D.C. at an event hosted by the University of California. Politico reports Froman said: “There certainly is a desire by the president to withdraw from something, and …
Is NAFTA Renegotiation Slowing Other Trade Deals?
An Agri-Pulse report says the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations may actually be costing agriculture other opportunities. The non-yet-fully-staffed Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is fully occupied with NAFTA. However, groups like the National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association want the Trump administration to push ahead with other trade agreements in order to cut …
USDA Trade Mission to Expand Export Opportunities for U.S. Agriculture in Brazil
During a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, Sept. 25-29, leaders from 24 U.S. agribusinesses and trade organizations will explore opportunities to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade …
Ag Exports Groups Urge Passage of the CREAATE Act
A coalition supporting ag exports is urging Senators to pass legislation to expand the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program. The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development say the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports, or CREAATE Act, would boost trade’s impact on U.S. farmer profitability and …
NAFTA Talks Head to Canada Next Week
The third round of formal negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement gets underway next week in Canada. Round three of the talks are planned in Ottaway September 23rd through September 27th. The meeting follows the first set of talks in Washington, D.C., and the second round of talks held in Mexico City, Mexico earlier this month. However, rounds …
Lighthizer: NAFTA Negotiation at Warp Speed, May Not Be Successful
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said this week that negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement are moving at “warp speed,” but may lead to no agreement. Lighthizer said: “we don’t know whether we’re going to get to a conclusion. That’s the problem. We’re running very quickly somewhere.” Lighthizer says the U.S. would like to reach an agreement and …
Lighthizer Presses Taiwan on Ag Trade Barriers
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer highlighted the need to address trade barriers between the U.S. and Taiwan last week. During a meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Lighthizer said Thailand needs to address the “longstanding trade barriers,” including those on U.S. meat and other agriculture exports, according to Politico. Total exports of U.S. agricultural products to Thailand totaled $1.6 billion in …
Mexico Considering Protections in NAFTA
A potential counterproposal by Mexico could limit pork leg imports from the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement. As renegotiation efforts continue, Mexico may counter a proposal U.S. trade officials are considering that would give seasonal fruit and vegetable farmers added protection, according to Reuters. The U.S. is considering a proposal to protect certain products by making …
Japan Interested in Multi-nation Trade Agreements, Not Bilateral Trade
Leaders from Japan told a Nebraska trade delegation last week that Japan is not interested in a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. Instead, Japan told Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts that the nation is holding out for the U.S. to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Ricketts says he is pressing U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer …