Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. says the target date of March as a finishing point to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations is very possible. He tells Bloomberg it’s possible if the three sides can overcome some sticking points, including U.S. demands for tougher auto quotas. David McNaughton tells Bloomberg he’s hopeful the deal with be done by …
Corn Industry Meet with Mexico Regarding Trade
Corn industry leaders visited Mexico last week to reinsure the importance of trade. The National Corn Growers and the U.S. Grains Council hosted the joint mission, which also included a group of leaders visiting South Korea. NCGA President Kevin Skunes was part of the group that traveled to Mexico. Trip The group met with agriculture officials, grain association representatives and …
State Farm Bureau Study Estimates Cost of NAFTA Withdraw
A study from the Nebraska Farm Bureau finds withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could cost farms in the state up to $55,000 each, annually. The report identifies the 2016 export value of individual Nebraska agriculture commodities to both Canada and Mexico. Analysis in the report also assigns a dollar value of NAFTA on a unit basis …
Mexican Ambassador: 50% Chance NAFTA is Terminated
The Mexican Ambassador says there is a 50-50 chance that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be “terminated.” Geronimo Gutierrez says there are tensions hanging over the three sides in the negotiations and that’s creating an air of uncertainty. The Hill Dot Com says despite that, he still thinks a deal to update the agreement can be done …
Trump Talks Trade with Senators
Several pro-trade Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss trade. Their goal was to let the president know on a face-to-face basis how important the North American Free Trade Agreement is and to keep negotiating. U.S. officials have taken a hard-line stance in the negotiations with Canada and Mexico, causing concern that the talks could fall apart …
Ag State Lawmakers Voice Concern Over Possible NAFTA Withdrawal
Ag State lawmakers continue to voice strong concern, even worry, that the U.S. may pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with dire consequences for home-state farmers and ranchers. The latest Department of Agriculture export forecast shows the importance of Canada and Mexico as the U.S.’s second and third-largest markets, respectively, and Secretary Sonny Perdue hails both, …
NAFTA May be Nearing Breaking Point
Forbes speculates that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations may be reaching a breaking point. Little progress has been made in previous talks as the U.S. continues to push a hardline stance that the governments of Canada and Mexico aren’t going to accept. Last week, a government official from Mexico left a meeting with the Trump Administration with …
NAFTA Withdrawal Threat Already Affecting U.S. Trade
Even though the Trump Administration hasn’t followed through on a potential threat to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the possibility is already affecting the U.S. Grain Trade. The fifth round of talks wrapped up last week in Mexico, with all sides promising to get the deal done “as soon as possible.” U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer …
Canada Group Issues Report on Trade Without NAFTA
A Canada-based financial group outlines trade without the North American Free Trade Agreement in a new report called “The Day After NAFTA.” BMO Financial Group of Montreal published the report that says the Canadian food and beverage industry would be highly vulnerable without NAFTA, and that Canadian and U.S. crop producers would face a moderate level of vulnerability. Specifically, Canadian …
Mexico Bans Select GMO Soybean Plantings in Seven States
Mexico’s agriculture sanitation authority has revoked Monsanto’s permit to commercialize genetically modified soybeans in seven states, a move Monsanto calls unjustified. Monsanto says in a statement that the permit had been withdrawn on unwarranted legal and technical grounds, according to Reuters. The company said it would take the necessary steps to safeguard its rights and those of farmers using the …