It’s been two months since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would be implementing some $16 billion in programs to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. According to Reece Langley, National Cotton Council (NCC) vice president of Washington operations, details on the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) are expected soon. Langley says …
USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Funding
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $100 million to 48 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. In May, President Trump authorized USDA to provide up to $16 billion in programs to support farmers, which …
U.S., Japan, Working Hard Towards Trade Deal
(NAFB) — Japan and the U.S. are “working hard” to reach a trade agreement, according to those close to the negotiations. A Japanese official told Reuters this week, “Our team is now working pretty hard, so we are looking forward to some news in the near future.” The U.S. and Japan are reportedly working on a small trade deal involving …
CBB Executives Detail Recent Beef Leadership Trip to Taiwan and Japan
CENTENNIAL, CO (CBB) — Chuck Coffey, chairman, and Jared Brackett, vice chairman, of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB) recently traveled to Taiwan and Japan as part of a U.S. contingent exploring opportunities for U.S. beef in those countries. The week-long trip took place May 4-May 11, 2019. “Taiwan and Japan are in prime position for further market …
WTO Rules against US over Pre-Trade War Dispute with China
(NAFB) — The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against the United States in a pre-trade war dispute with China, opening the door for more retaliatory tariffs. The ruling says some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods do not comply with WTO rules. The case opened in 2012 when the United States implemented tariffs aimed at products the U.S. claimed “were unfairly …
Livestock Industry: Pass USMCA
(NAFB) — Tuesday, the House Agriculture Committee’s Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee held a hearing to review the state of the U.S. livestock and poultry economies. Livestock industry witnesses were unanimous in their message to Congress—pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) now. Here is John Zimmerman for the National Turkey Federation. “Our number one priority is passage of USMCA. Our …
USMCA Needs to Pass as Soon as Possible
Last week, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence made a stop in California’s San Joaquin Valley to highlight the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). He urged the ag industry to encourage their representatives to ratify the agreement. Hundreds gathered to hear several guest speakers discuss the impact the replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement would have on …
White House to Send USMCA to Congress this Fall
(NAFB) — The White House will send the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to Congress after September first, setting up a busy fall schedule for lawmakers. While the goal of the move is to set up a vote before the end of the year, lawmakers will also be working on spending bills and nearing election season. Further, House Democrats are still seeking …
Time Running Out on USMCA Summer Vote
(NAFB) — Supporters of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) have been pushing for some time to see a summer vote on the deal. They’d like Congress to ratify the deal before they head off on their August recess. However, House Democrats say they’re not in a hurry to hold a vote. That pre-recess legislative window is getting closer to slamming …
NCBA, State Affiliates Urge Congress to Ratify USMCA
WASHINGTON (NCBA) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) sent a letter signed by 39 of its state affiliates to U.S. Senate and House leaders urging them to support the swift ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy …