Senator Chuck Grassley this week announced a planned hearing regarding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Grassley, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, says the committee will hear testimony from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The committee will hold the hearing, “The President’s 2019 Trade Policy Agenda and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” next Tuesday morning. Grassley told reporters earlier this week, following …
Trade Impacts on Beef Industry
Many of us remember all the discussions about Mandatory County of Origin Labeling (MCOOL). Over the years, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted various comments on the issue. But recently, NCBA Senior Director of International Trade, Kent Bacus, was asked about claims that beef imported into the U.S. from other countries could have the labels removed and replaced with …
MFP Plan Now at OMB for Review
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced three weeks ago they were taking several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. USDA will implement some $16 billion in programs, which includes the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). Those payments will be delivered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). And according to a story …
Avoiding Mexican Tariffs a Major Relief to U.S. Meat Industry
The White House recently announced a plan to impose tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico unless more steps were taken to curb illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. But on June 7, President Trump announced that Mexico had pledged to enhance its efforts to address border security issues, and the proposed tariffs were not imposed. As U.S. Meat Export …
Commissioner Black Issues Statement on Federal Disaster and Trade Assistance
“Our farmers are encouraged with the recently approved disaster and trade-related assistance packages. While we are working with USDA to determine implementation of the funds allotted to Georgia farmers and hope to have details out soon, USDA Secretary Perdue issued the following timely guidance.” “Whether it’s because of natural disasters or unfair retaliatory tariffs, farmers across the country are facing …
U.S. Pork Producers Seek Main Course, Not Crumbs
China Represents Single-Greatest Sales Opportunity in U.S. Pork History Expanding U.S. export markets is vital to the success of American pork producers, but trade disputes with some of our top markets, most notably China, are hampering growth and have caused severe financial harm to U.S. hog farmers, National Pork Producers Council Vice President and Counsel of Global Government Affairs Nick …
Secretary Perdue Statement on Disaster and Trade-Related Assistance
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on disaster and trade-related assistance: “Whether it’s because of natural disasters or unfair retaliatory tariffs, farmers across the country are facing significant challenges and tough decisions on their farms and ranches. Last month, immediately upon China reneging on commitments made during the trade talks, President Trump committed USDA (U.S. Department …
Get USMCA Done
Many of us were expecting another round of tariffs with Mexico to kick in today, but it was announced over the weekend that a dealhad been reached between the U.S. and Mexico which stopped imposing new tariffs. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) leaders had said it was time to end the tariff fights and get back to securing trade deals. AFBF trade chief Dave …
Dairy Farmers – Industry to Congress: Help Us by Passing USMCA
The U.S. dairy industry is urging Congress to quickly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with an outreach campaign highlighting the importance of the agreement to the success of America’s dairy farmers and manufacturers. In a letter sent to representatives of top-producing dairy states, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) …
Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief
It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …