Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Washington, D.C. this week, as part of an effort to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade deal has the least path of resistance in Mexico, where lawmakers are expected to ratify the agreement this month. The trade deal also faces a quick route to passage in Canada, leaving passage in the U.S. …
European Union Will Import More U.S. Beef
A Reuters report says the European Union has agreed to allow U.S. farmers a bigger share of the European beef market. EU sources and diplomats all tell Reuters that the move could help calm down some transatlantic trade tensions. The deal will give America a guaranteed share of a 45,000-ton EU quota for hormone-free beef. The quota was agreed to …
U.S. Sugar Executive Re-Appointed to National Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee
Clewiston, FL (U. S. Sugar) – U.S. Sugar is proud to announce that Judy Clayton Sanchez, Senior Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, was re-appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade (ATAC) in Sweeteners and Sweetener Products by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Sanchez is serving her third term, which …
Trump on China Trade Talks and Mexico Immigration Deal
(NAFB) President Trump says in a hopeful sign for renewed trade talks with China, that he expects to meet with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Japan later this month. Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Poland’s president, now says he plans to meet with China’s Xi Jinping this …
Senate Finance Plans USMCA Hearing
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 …