(NAFB) — Both the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and a phase one agreement of a deal between the U.S. and China appear to be slowly edging forward. The Hagstrom Report quotes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as saying, “We are within range of a substantially improved agreement for America’s workers. Now, we need to see our progress in writing from the trade …
2019 Trade Aid May Violate WTO Commitments
(NAFB) — A recent independent report suggests U.S. trade aid in 2019 for farmers may surpass limits set in World Trade Organization commitments. The report for the American Enterprise Institute by Joe Glauber, a former Department of Agriculture Chief Economist, suggests the size of payments made to producers in 2019 may encourage other WTO members to challenge the payments. Glauber …
“Phase Two” U.S. and China Agreement not Imminent
(NAFB) — U.S. and Beijing officials, lawyers, and other trade experts all tell Reuters that a “phase two” trade deal between the U.S. and China is nowhere near imminent. The two largest economies in the world are still having trouble getting the phase one deal signed. Back in October, U.S. President Trump said he expects to quickly start on phase …
ASI President on USMCA
Many in agriculture had hoped the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would be passed this year, but it now is appearing doubtful. After Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi met with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal last week, there was still no deal and there is not much time left on the legislative clock. Trade …
American Farm Bureau Federation on USMCA
When it comes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the clock is ticking for the U.S. House to bring it to a vote, as the number of legislative days left this calendar year are counting down. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist, Veronica Nigh, told Southeast AgNet that passing USMCA sets the stage for getting a deal with somebody else. And getting …
U.S. and South Korea Reach Agreement on Guaranteed Market Access for American Rice
(USDA) – United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue are pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached an agreement with the government of South Korea on market access for U.S. rice. Under the agreement, Korea will provide access for 132,304 tons of U.S. rice annually, with an annual value of approximately $110 million. …
Japan Likely to Vote on U.S. Trade Pact This Week
(NAFB) — Media reports in Japan are saying that the parliament is likely to start voting on a trade pact with the U.S. sometime this week. The lower house of the Japanese Diet will take up the pact Wednesday, while the upper house, called the House of Councilors, will begin considering the deal the next day. A Japan Times report …
Commissioner Black on U.S. Poultry Regaining Access to China
Following the announcement of American poultry farmers regaining access to the Chinese market, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black issued the following statement:  “As the top poultry producing state in the country, Georgia applauds the end of the needless and unscientific ban on U.S. poultry imports,” said Black. “The reopening of the Chinese market will undoubtedly result in expanded opportunities …
Brazil’s Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota for Wheat a Win for American Farmers
(USDA) — U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue welcome Brazil’s implementation of an annual duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat imports. For many years, Brazil failed to implement its obligation under the WTO to establish a TRQ for wheat. Brazil’s implementation of this TRQ fulfills a commitment made …
Poultry Groups Applaud Agreement to Resume Imports of U.S. Poultry Products to China
(NCC) — The National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) today applauded the announcement that China will lift its ban on imports of U.S. poultry products. The ban was enacted in 2015 after the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. While the U.S. has been free of HPAI since …