Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) says if Mexico’s president wanted to restrict GMO corn from the U.S., the time to do that was more than three years ago, before he agreed to the terms of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Sabrina Halvorson talks with the congressman to get insight into the trade dispute. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations …
Vilsack Keeps Up Pressure on Mexico Over GMO Corn Ban
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is keeping up the pressure on Mexican officials to back off plans in 2024 to ban imports of GMO corn. Vilsack planned to hear from Mexican officials visiting Washington about how they’d modify President Lopez Obrador’s plans to ban imports of genetically modified corn starting in 2024. But he also had a warning. “If the proposal …
Crop Dumping by Mexico Targeted by Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried
Concerns about crop dumping have been a refrain in the state since shortly after the North American Free Trade Agreement was approved more than a quarter century ago. (TALLAHASSEE/August 30, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Monday urged people to purchase Florida-grown blueberries, strawberries and other produce to help counter what she described as “unfair foreign trade practices” by …
Mexico’s Organic Requirements for U.S. Exports Delayed Until 2022
Implementation of new organic requirements for American exports entering Mexico will now be delayed until 2022. Last December, Mexico published a measure requiring that most organic products be certified under Mexico’s Organic Law (LPO) standards. Enforcement of the new requirement was initially set to begin immediately. After negotiations between Mexican officials and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and …
Georgia Congressmen Request Investigation on Squash and Cucumbers
(GFVGA) — Congressmen Austin Scott, Sanford Bishop, Rick Allen and Buddy Carter continue to fight for Georgia produce farmers and against unfair trade practices with Mexico. In a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative, USTR, Robert Lighthizer, the congressmen requested that the current Section 332 investigation for strawberries and bell pepper be broadened to include the impact seasonal cucumber and …
Secretary Perdue on Passage of USMCA
The Agriculture Secretary looks forward to future benefits for farmers and ranchers now that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal has passed the U.S. Senate and will soon be signed by the President. Rod Bain has the story. The signing of the agreement would signal Canada to approve the agreement, whose government has been waiting for U.S. approval. Mexico already approved …
Ag Groups Respond to Senate Passage of USMCA
Yesterday we reported that many agricultural groups were pleased with the signing of the phase-one trade agreement between the United States and China. Today, the trade news continues as the U.S. Senate has passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 89-10. Many agricultural groups also cheered that news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Senate Passage of USMCA (USDA) — …
Groups Respond to Passage of USMCA
America’s Cattle Producers Hail House Passage Of USMCA NCBA Urges Senate to Swiftly Follow House’s Lead (NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 385-41: “This was a crucial win for all U.S. beef producers and a reassurance …
USMCA Vote Moves Deal Closer to Ratification
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) continues forward progress with the House of Representatives passing the trade deal by a large margin. The USMCA vote was 385 to 41 in favor of moving the legislation closer to ratification by the Senate. Several agricultural groups have issued statements of support and appreciation for moving the agreement through Congress. “The USMCA will provide continuity …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on ITC Ruling on Mexican Tomato Threat
(FDACS) — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted 4-0 affirming that imported Mexican tomatoes unfairly threaten the American tomato industry. The ruling came after the U.S. Department of Commerce recently re-opened the antidumping investigation that began in 1996, and after finding that Mexican tomatoes had been dumped into the U.S. market at prices 21 percent below fair market value, on average. In …