Canada has agreed to join the trade accord between the United States and Mexico, effectively replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The announcement comes after Mexico and the United States reached a deal in late August. The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will allow better access to Canada for American dairy products and also provides for more imports of …
U.S. Will Publish NAFTA Text Friday
Bloomberg says the Trump Administration will release the text of a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico on Friday. While the text will likely exclude Canada, it will leave open the possibility of Canada joining the agreement later. U.S. trade law says the text of the deal has to be published 60 days before it can be signed. U.S. Trade Representative …
Legislators Call for NAFTA Negotiation Slowdown
Three state representatives are asking U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to slow down the pace of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. They feel that gives the U.S. the best opportunity to come to a fair agreement on dairy exports. Representatives from Wisconsin, Washington, and New York all represent states that need open-market access to Canada in order …
Deadline Weekend Likely to Pass with Little Farm Bill, NAFTA Progress
The farm bill and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) seem certain not to meet the weekend deadline, leaving more uncertain times for agriculture. Negotiators were trying to reach an agreement on the farm bill this week, but the clock is all but out of time as the current bill expires Sunday. Monday means critical trade programs will not …
Farm Bureau says U.S.-Japan Trade Statement Bodes Well for Future
The following statement can be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The joint statement between President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regarding the pursuit of trade opportunities that benefit both nations is great news for America’s farmers and ranchers. This affirmation by both nations to enter negotiations bodes well for the future and indicates the …
Senators Take Aim at Unfair Trade Practices Hurting Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers
U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices. The bill comes amid long-standing and increasing complaints from Florida farmers that Mexican growers illegally flood the U.S. market with subsidized produce during the winter season. Florida is one of the few places in the country that can …
U.S. Says Canada Not Making Needed NAFTA Concessions
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer charges Canada is not making needed concessions to strike a deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As the U.S. ideal deadline will pass this weekend, the U.S. is gearing up to move forward with a Mexico-only agreement. Lighthizer said there was “some distance” between the two sides on issues such as access …
EU Chef Team Learns about U.S. Beef
A team of chefs from Poland, Finland, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, Holland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria recently spent a week in Colorado learning about U.S. beef as part of a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) program designed to make them advocates for U.S. beef back in their home countries. Ralph Loos has the story. EU Chef Team Learns about …
NPPC: Auto Import Tariffs Will Prompt More Retaliation Against American Agriculture
U.S. tariffs on auto imports likely would prompt retaliation from some of American agriculture’s biggest trading partners, leading to catastrophic financial harm to farmers, warned the National Pork Producers Council in comments submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance. In its ongoing efforts to realign U.S. trade policy, the Trump administration is considering putting duties on autos and auto parts …
China Passing on U.S. Soybeans, Purchasing from Brazil
China soybean processors are purchasing record volumes of Brazilian soybeans and cutting purchases of U.S. soybeans. U.S. soybeans face steep tariffs in China thanks to the ongoing tit-for-tat trade war between the U.S. and China. A Singapore-based trader told Reuters that China is “willing to pay higher prices for Brazilian beans than what domestic crushers are paying.” Brazil’s typical soybean …