Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch weighed in this week on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. The Senate Finance Committee Chair says Congress will intervene if President Trump follows through on his threat to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. He says, “We’d probably work hard to pass NAFTA, hopefully by a veto-proof vote, because it’s very important, …
Trump Says Re-entering TPP is “possible”
A Bloomberg report says President Trump would consider rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership if the U.S. could negotiate more favorable terms. Trump made the announcement during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last Friday. “TPP was a very bad deal for the United States,” said Trump. “There’s a possibility we could be going back in if offered …
Pressure Mounting in Mexico for NAFTA Round Seven
A report from Politico says the outcome of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks in Mexico could hinge on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The question is whether Lighthizer and the administration will be willing to work with some of Canada’s recent offers and others that Mexico will likely make this week. Speaking of Mexico, the planned meeting …
McKinney Predicts Trade Deal With Japan
The top USDA trade official, Ted McKinney, says he anticipates a trade deal with Japan will likely take place if the United States doesn’t re-enter into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. McKinney says he doesn’t know what the scope of the agreement will be but calls it “not a matter of if, but when.” He spoke about the topic during the Agricultural …
Governors Lobby for NAFTA Conclusion
Governors from more than 40 states are in Washington, D.C., this weekend for their annual winter meeting. International issues like the future of trade will be among the topics they’ll cover, as well as the future of food and agriculture. The timing coincides with the start of the seventh round of NAFTA talks, which begin in Mexico City on Sunday. …
White House Economist Dodges NAFTA Withdrawal Questions
Kevin Hassett, Chief White House Economist, attacked the integrity of past and present government officials who have negotiated U.S. trade agreements. However, he declined to say if the U.S. would be better off economically should President Trump withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The question at a White House briefing was, “Would it be a good thing …
USDA Opens New Office in Vietnam to Help Facilitate Increasing Agricultural Trade
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently celebrated the opening of its new office in Hanoi, Vietnam. The office will play a vital role in helping expand the United States’ $2.5 billion-dollar agricultural export market in Vietnam. “Growing agricultural trade between the United States and Vietnam means new opportunities for American producers,” said Greg …
Senators Urge Trump to Rejoin TPP
A group of Republican Senators is urging President Donald Trump to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. The 25 lawmakers, including many from western and farm states, encouraged Trump to “work aggressively to secure reforms that would allow the United States to join the agreement” according to Politico. In a statement, the group says: “An improved TPP would therefore …
Canada: Trade Problems Expected with the U.S. Even if NAFTA is Signed
Canada expects trade challenges from the U.S. will continue even if the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks are successful. A senior Canadian government official says: “Even if a new NAFTA were to be signed tomorrow I think we would still face a lot of turbulence in our relationship with the United States on trade.” Timothy Sargent, the top …
Former Ag Trade Negotiator Says Much Work Left on NAFTA
A former Obama administration trade official says there is too much left to do before the deadline for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks. Former Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, Darci Vetter, told Agriculture.com the negotiations “have a long way to go.” Noting that some issues don’t have an assigned approach yet by the administration, …