Avocado prices have reached a record high and a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could have U.S. consumers paying even more for the fruit. A group of avocado companies recently wrote the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office predicting prices could rise, depending on whether the Trump administration, in renegotiating NAFTA, changes rules on anti-dumping and countervailing duties. The letter …
South Korea Trade Teams Tour U.S. Agriculture
The U.S. Grains Council says trade teams from South Korea visiting the U.S. over the last three months helps solidify trade between the U.S. and Korea under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. The Council has been hosting trade teams this summer from South Korea, visiting U.S. farmers and grain suppliers in eight states. USGC says South Korean …
Beef Industry to White House: Scuttling KORUS is Also a ‘Job Killer’
The U.S. beef industry says if President Trump withdraws the US from the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, millions of dollars and thousands of jobs will be lost throughout the Midwest and other regions. As the president tries to appeal to blue collar workers in the rust belt who voted for him, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tells the White House, …
White House Suspends Discussions on Ending KORUS
White House officials have temporarily halted discussions on the possibility of terminating a free trade agreement with South Korea. A senior White House official told Reuters on Wednesday night that the deal could still be terminated but there were no immediate plans to do so. President Trump had been talking with his senior advisers about the possibility of withdrawing from …
Agri View: Farm Trade
Everett Griner talks about Cuba needing United States farm trade in today’s Agri View. It has been 50 years since Cuba turned politically away from the United States. It made a big difference. That philosophy has not changed. But, the years have brought changes. Trade between the United States and Cuba still is a costly problem to …
Grassley Weighs in on Latest Threats to Withdraw From Trade Agreements
A key U.S. ag senator has weighed in on President Trump’s latest threats to withdraw from trade agreements, including one with strategically important South Korea, the KORUS agreement. Longtime Senate Ag Republican Chuck Grassley doesn’t think ditching a trade deal with one of America’s biggest trading partners in ag and manufacturing, South Korea, makes much sense But like NAFTA, now …
Agriculture to Trump: Don’t Mess with KORUS
Agriculture groups responded to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding a free trade agreement with South Korea over the weekend by urging the President not to withdraw from the accord. Trump said the U.S. would consider withdrawing from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. U.S. Wheat Associates chairman Mike Miller says: “It would be irresponsible to unilaterally walk away …
NAFTA Round Two Concludes in Mexico City
Round two of the renegotiation talks regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was largely uneventful, according to those included in the talks. While the U.S. is suggesting a deal can be completed by the end of this year, many see the slow progress as an indication of a much longer negotiation process. Mexico’s top agriculture official told Bloomberg, …
Some Speculate Trump May Terminate NAFTA as a Negotiation Tactic
Canada-based Global News reports U.S. President Donald Trump may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to get more from Mexico and Canada during the ongoing renegotiation effort. Round two of the negotiations started Friday in Mexico City, Mexico. Most analysts believe the heated rhetoric is a negotiating tactic – but that doesn’t mean Trump won’t actually start the …
American Trucking Industry Watching NAFTA Negotiations Closely
September brings a new round of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One group keeping an eye on how things progress is the American Trucking Associations. Bob Costello, chief economist and senior vice president, says the truckers have a big stake in the outcome. Since NAFTA was first implemented, truckers now move 71 percent of the total …