The European Union is working to strengthen trade ties with China as the U.S. and China are embattled in a trade war. Repercussions of the trade war are being felt throughout U.S. agriculture, as the retaliatory tariffs from China will soon go into effect. Meanwhile, the EU is taking full advantage of the situation, and engaging with China to further …
Bayer Seeking EU Review of Monsanto Deal
Bayer has asked the European Commission to extend its review deadline on its planned takeover of Monsanto. The move by Bayer, according to company officials, seeks to allow more time for Bayer to finalize the agreement. Dow Jones reports that in late June, Bayer filed a submission to obtain antitrust approval for the deal from the European Commission. The Commission …
Russia Extends Ban on U.S. and E.U. Produce
Russia has extended its ban on produce from the U.S. and the European Union through the end of 2018. The ban was first put in place in 2014 and includes the U.S., E.U., Norway, Ukraine, and several other countries. The ban was going to expire on January 1st but Russia extended its sanctions after the E.U. extended its own trade …
EU Strikes Trade Deal With Japan
U.S. Must Do Likewise, Says NPPC Following the announcement by the European Union and Japan that they have reached agreement in principle on a trade pact, the National Pork Producers Council renewed its request that the Trump administration begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan. “The United States must quickly finalize a trade deal with Japan if it …
European Union Close to Trade Deal with Japan
The European Union and Japanese officials both say they’re close to signing what would be a major free trade deal, which could potentially jump-start other free trade deals. A European Union negotiator says a deal between the two would let the rest of the world know that two of the largest economies are resisting protectionism in favor of openness and …
NMPF Leaders Applaud European High Court Ruling Preventing Imitators from Using Dairy Names
The recent European Court of Justice ruling upholding European Union regulations that prevent plant-based dairy alternatives from using terms like “milk,” “cheese” and “yogurt” is a victory for the same battle occurring in the United States, leaders of the National Milk Producers Federation told their French dairy counterparts. During a visit, Friday with French dairy cooperative Sodiaal and the French …
EU, Japan, Within Reach of Trade Agreement
The European Union and Japan are inching closer to a free trade agreement after years of negotiations. A Ministry official from Japan Told Reuters that “both share understanding that a broad agreement is within reach.” The European Union says the deal will allow for easier access for EU products into Japan, and that its agri-food industry, along with pharmaceuticals, stands …
EU Seeks to Expand Trade with Mexico
The European Union is seeking to expand its trade relationship with Mexico. Under the current trade agreement between the EU and Mexico, the EU’s most active trading sectors with Mexico are machinery and car parts. The current agreement was implemented in 2000. Politico reports that a renewed deal would also be a response to Trump’s aggressive trade stance against Mexico. …
ChemChina Secures Shareholder Approval of Syngenta Takeover
State-owned ChemChina has secured its takeover of Syngenta after more than 80 percent of Syngenta shareholders approved the acquisition. The Financial Times reports 80.7 percent of shares had been tendered by the end of the offer period on Thursday evening, above the 67 percent minimum required for the deal to go ahead. The $43 billion deal, announced more than a …
Dow/DuPont Merger Gets Conditional China Approval
Dow and DuPont announced this week they’ve been given conditional regulatory merger approval the Ministry of Commerce of China. The approval is conditionally based on the companies fulfilling commitments that were given to the Ministry regarding the deal. The conditions for approval are similar to commitments the companies already made to get approval from the European Union Commission. For example, …