Reorganization of USDA Elevates Rural Development as Department Priority U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a recognition of the ever-increasing importance of international trade to American agriculture. Perdue made the announcement standing by barges filled with agricultural products along the banks …
NPPC President Ken Maschhoff on USDA Establishing an Undersecretary for Trade
NPPC is very pleased that Secretary Perdue is establishing within USDA an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, a position that we and others in agriculture fought to get included in the 2014 Farm Bill. Clearly, the Trump administration recognizes the importance of exports to U.S. agriculture, which has a trade surplus. The new undersecretary can help convey our …
Agriculture Vulnerable Amid Trade Risks
U.S. agriculture stands to lose big if a trade dispute with Mexico or Canada surfaces. CoBank CEO Tom Halverson told Bloomberg News recently that agriculture is in a “vulnerable position.” President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and is vowing to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. However, as Halverson point out, Mexico is considering Brazil and …
U.S. Views NAFTA Less Favorable than Canada, Mexico
A new poll released by the Pew Research Center says American’s view of the North American Free Trade Agreement is more negative than other NAFTA partner countries. The research shows that about half of U.S. citizens say the trade agreement is good for the U.S., while 76 percent of Canadians say the agreement is good for Canada. Meanwhile, 60 percent …
Canada Considering Trade Retaliatory Options
Canada is exploring retaliatory options after the Donald Trump administration announced tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber last month. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (true-doh) is exploring ways to push back against the United States, although what options Canada is considering remain unclear. A trade official from Canada called the move normal, according to Politico. The remarks came after Trudeau over …
White House Staffer Called Canada to Sway Trump on NAFTA
A White House staffer reportedly called an official in Canada last month to ask the nation to persuade President Donald Trump to not terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Multiple media outlets say the call came when Trump was preparing an executive order to end the free trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. White House staff apparently …
Ag Export Groups Support CREAATE Act
Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development welcomed introduction of House Resolution 2321 last week, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports Act. The Act was introduced by Washington-State Republican Representative Dan Newhouse and Maine Democratic Representative Chellie (Shell-lee) Pingree. The coalitions say the CREAATE Act captures …
Canada, Mexico, Eyeing Trade Markets Beyond U.S.
Mexico and Canada both are eyeing new trade partners as trade rhetoric and threats from the U.S. are growing trade-related concerns between the three countries. The North American Free Trade Agreement members, Canada and Mexico, are considering non-U.S. markets, including China, to grow their economies in the future. The moves come as President Donald Trump promises a renegotiation of NAFTA, …
Free Trade, Relationships Key To Market Competitiveness In South Korea
Recent events in foreign policy and the ongoing conversation about the value of U.S. trade agreements have put a spotlight on South Korea as a close U.S. ally and an important customer for U.S. products, including grains. South Korea is now the fifth largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, totaling $6.2 billion in purchases in 2016. The country was the …
NMPF, USDEC Organize Dairy Fly-In on Capitol Hill to Build Support for Trade with Canada, Mexico
U.S. dairy leaders from across the country visited Washington, D.C., this week to urge Congress and Trump Administration officials to hold Canada accountable for its trade violations and hasten the repeal of Canada’s controversial new dairy pricing system. During a fly-in rally organized Tuesday and Wednesday by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), …