There are various concerns about the recent reports that the Trump Administration is considering an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The future of NAFTA agreement was the topic during a Farm Foundation Forum held Wednesday in Washington, D.C. One of those taking part in the discussion was Bob Stallman, Texas farmer …
White House Readies Order on NAFTA Withdrawal
Two White House sources told Politico that the Trump Administration is considering an executive order withdrawing the country from the North American Free Trade Agreement. Officials say the draft order has been submitted for the final stages of review and could be unveiled soon. Politico says the order could change in the coming days but seems to indicate an intent …
Commissioner Putnam Urges Department of Commerce to Investigate Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross emphasizing the need for fair trade, as Mexican imports have negatively affected Florida agriculture. He asked the Department of Commerce to initiate an investigation into Mexico’s unfair trade practices. “I believe that Florida produces the highest quality agricultural commodities in the world and …
U.S., EU, Opening Door to TTIP Talks
The European Union and the United States could soon be reviving negotiations of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross over the weekend told the Financial Times reducing the trans-Atlantic trade deficit in goods is a top priority. The $146 billion trans-Atlantic trade deficit is only second to China’s $347 billion deficit. Ross was hosting …
NAFTA Talks Not Happening Soon
President Donald Trump says the White House will offer some preliminary plans on the possible renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) sometime within the next two weeks. While he didn’t get more specific than that, Politico’s Morning Agriculture report adds that a White House spokesman says the Administration is currently working on negotiating text with Congress. The …
Canada Doubling Down on Dairy Trade Comments
Canada continues to say ‘it’s not our problem’ when asked about dairy trade with the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (true-doh) told Bloomberg News Thursday: “It’s not Canada that’s the challenge here.” Trudeau said the U.S. has a large dairy trade surplus with Canada. He stood by his own system, by saying every country subsidizes agriculture, adding: “Let’s …
Australia and New Zealand Dairy Leaders Would Support U.S. WTO Action on Canada
Dairy industry leaders from Australia and New Zealand say they would support the U.S. in potential World Trade Organization action against Canada. Leaders from both nations say they would support President Donald Trump if he included the WTO in a trade dispute over a milk pricing scheme by Canada that is harming U.S. dairy farmers. U.S. dairy groups say the …
Mexico Finishing New Trade Deal with Argentina
Mexico is looking to establish closer ties with other Latin American and South American countries after Donald Trump took office in the United States, its biggest export market. Reuters says Mexico expects to finish a new trade agreement with Argentina by the end of this year as it continues to try to diversify its trading partners. Argentina could make significant …
Pence Talks Trade in Japan
Vice President Mike Pence was in Tokyo on Tuesday, calling for “stronger and more balanced bilateral trade relationships” with countries like Japan and South Korea. A Washington Post article says his comments raise the prospect of trade talks with Japan as well as a look into the current agreement with South Korea. Japan and the U.S. seem to have different …
Japan Taking Lead on TPP Without U.S.
Japan is seeking to revive the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal without the United States. President Donald Trump in January removed the U.S. from the deal that was estimated to be worth more than $4 billion to U.S. agriculture. Now, Japan is seeking to amend the deal to 11 nations, cutting out the U.S., and moving forward. The Nikkei (Nee-kay) …