China imports more U.S. trash than agricultural commodities, but that could soon change. China earlier this year filed a notice with the World Trade Organization about its plans to limit the entry of “foreign waste.” The Wall Street Journal reports this week that under the new rules, China by year’s end would ban imports of used plastics and require paper-scrap …
Business Leaders to Talk Trade with Mexico
Negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement continue Wednesday, with some speculating agriculture issues to finally emerge in the talks. However, while negotiators will be in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will lead a delegation of U.S. CEO’s to Mexico City. Bloomberg reports that the U.S. business leaders will meet with counterparts from Mexico’s private sector and …
Agriculture Changes Expected in KORUS Revisions
A South Korea trade lawyer believes changes to agricultural trade will top the list of changes requested in KORUS, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. During a meeting last week between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and South Korea trade officials, the two nations agreed to open KORUS to renegotiation. The U.S. proposed revisions to language in KORUS regarding industrial goods, …
Rep. Jake Raburn Comments on NAFTA
Trade representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico have recently finished the third round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations in Ottawa. While the officials try to work something out that can benefit all three countries, U.S. specialty crop growers are anxiously waiting to see if they will be helped by the new agreement. Regarding U.S. agriculture, …
Congressional Delegation Comments on Agriculture NAFTA Meetings in Ottawa
Members of a congressional delegation to Ottawa, Canada focused on the agricultural trade offered their comments following meetings with Canadian officials ahead of the next round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations: “Our goal over the past two days was to ensure our Canadian counterparts understand that U.S. production agriculture has a keen interest in getting NAFTA done …
NAFTA Not Moving Quick Enough
House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway echoed comments made last week by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, saying the negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement are not moving fast enough. Conaway stated: “Perdue hit the nail on the head when he said we need to stop circling the ring in NAFTA negotiations and begin laying out concrete agriculture proposals.” He …
U.S. and EU Producers Talk Beef Trade at Sommet de l’Élevage
Now that U.S. producers have established their presence at the Sommet de l’Élevage, they are now talking potential beef trade with the European Union. The Sommet is the EU’s largest livestock show in which exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to make business connections. Renee Strickland, who is representing the U.S. Livestock Exporters Association, has said that one of her goals …
American Dairy Industry Wants True Free-Trade with Canada
The fourth round of negotiations to redo the North American Free Trade Agreement take place next week in Washington. Jim Mulhern, CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, says negotiators are planning to put forth proposals on dairy policy and other market access issues U.S. farmers have getting their product into Canada. Milk Business Dot Com says the Milk Producers …
Ag to Take Center Stage in Round Four of NAFTA Talks
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue talked on Wednesday about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, saying he’s “somewhat disappointed” with the pace of the talks. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says Perdue tried to offer hope to U.S. farmers by saying there’s a potential for serious agricultural discussions next week when Round Four gets underway. “Honestly, we’ve been somewhat …
U.S. Ag Groups Want Intervention of GI Review
Farm and food groups want the Trump Administration to address a trade consideration between Mexico and Japan regarding geographical indications. Japan and Mexico are considering giving exclusive status to various European geographical food and drink names. In a letter to President Trump, the groups say that the European Union is currently negotiating with both nations on lists of protected geographical …