Steel and aluminum tariffs by the U.S. will hurt agriculture more than NAFTA 2.0 will help. The updated North American Free Trade Agreement, known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), would grow U.S. agricultural exports by $450 million a year, according to the Farm Foundation. However, the organization says the retaliatory tariffs in response to the tariffs that President Donald Trump …
Canada Announces New Dairy Working Groups
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada this week announced new dairy working groups to address industry concerns. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the new working groups comprised of dairy farmers and processors. Canada says that while informal engagement has already begun with the dairy sector, the working groups bring together officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, representatives from national dairy organizations and …
Canada Willing to Stall Trade Deal with China until China is More Reasonable
Canada is willing to stall a potential trade deal with China until China starts behaving better, according to CBC News. Canada’s ambassador to China says a trade pact doesn’t seem likely to be reached until China shows flexibility on controversial policies. Ambassador John McCallum says right now, much of the work on a potential trade agreement is focusing on “bridging …
Federal Reserve: NAFTA 2.0 Won’t Help Dairy Industry
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) replacement will not benefit dairy farmers, according to the Federal Reserve Bank. A report by the Federal Reserve says gains made by the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that will replace NAFTA are “too small and too far in the future to help dairy farmers.” The Minneapolis Fed reported that “a substantial number of dairy …
USMCA a Framework for Future Trade Deals
A White House adviser says the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a model for future trade agreements. USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), if approved. Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, said this week that other potential agreements will “look very much alike, and very much like this,” according to Politico. His …
Pork Producers Encouraged by Trade Announcement
Representatives of the U.S. pork industry say “we’ve got the momentum on trade headed in the right direction.” National Pork Producers Council President Jim Heimerl stated “pork producers are hurting because of retaliatory tariffs on pork,” but says their patience is starting to pay off. The comments followed the formal announcement that the U.S. is seeking new free trade agreements …
McConnell: No NAFTA 2.0 Vote This Year
As expected, the U.S. Senate will not consider the updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), in 2018. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Bloomberg News a vote on the updated agreement would not happen until after the New Year, saying “My trade advisers say you can’t possibly do it under the various steps …
Trudeau Says USMCA Keeps China Trade Door Open
Canada’s Prime Minister says the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) allows Canada to move forward with trade talks with China. Despite a provision in the text of the agreement that allows the U.S. to opt-out of the deal if Canada or Mexico engages with China, Justin Trudeau claims the provisions were “watered down” in the final version of the agreement. He …
International Trade Commission to Review USMCA
The U.S. International Trade Commission will review the U.S.,-Mexico-Canada Agreement next month. The Commission is scheduled to meet November 15th for an economic review of the trade agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Politico reports that the ITC probe, which is required by Congress, formally launched Friday. The Commission has until mid-March to complete its report, …
USMCA Fate Could Rest with Democrats After Elections
Politico says the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) likely won’t get voted on before 2019. That’s because of a packed Congressional schedule at the end of this year, as well as a limited political will to hold a vote. That likely means Democrats will have a huge say in whether or not the deal gets enacted, if as many polls …