Some industry groups claim the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has hurt California growers because of unfair competition from Mexico. That is not the case for the avocado industry,…
Ag Exports, Trade Surplus, See Increases
…trade surplus of roughly $23 billion compared to $7 billion last year. USDA says the increase reflects the improvement in the global economy, and it represents a lower value for…
Lighthizer: NAFTA Negotiation at Warp Speed, May Not Be Successful
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said this week that negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement are moving at “warp speed,” but may lead to no agreement. Lighthizer said:…
Perdue Comments on Censky and McKinney Senate Committee Hearing
…President Donald Trump has nominated Censky to service as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, while McKinney is the president’s choice to be the very first Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign…
Egypt Downplaying Wheat Cargo Denials
…dangerous,” according to U.S. News and World Report. The comments could avert a trade issue between Egypt and wheat suppliers. Egypt is still considering its options on what the nation…
Lighthizer Presses Taiwan on Ag Trade Barriers
Lighthizer Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer highlighted the need to address trade barriers between the U.S. and Taiwan last week. During a meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Lighthizer said Thailand…
Senators Want Action on Brazil Ethanol Tariff
A group of Midwestern Senators is urging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to respond to Brazil’s 20 percent ethanol tariff on imports over 600 million liters, or 158 million gallons….
Mexico Considering Protections in NAFTA
A potential counterproposal by Mexico could limit pork leg imports from the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement. As renegotiation efforts continue, Mexico may counter a proposal…
SNAP Draws Strong Praise
…him “a second chance” at his local food bank’s culinary trade program. Chance Parker says if it wasn’t for SNAP, he’d probably be homeless. From the National Association of Farm…
Japan Interested in Multi-nation Trade Agreements, Not Bilateral Trade
Leaders from Japan told a Nebraska trade delegation last week that Japan is not interested in a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. Instead, Japan told Nebraska Governor Pete…
Higher Ag Exports in 2017 and a Trade Surplus Next Year
…two-year trend of steadily falling export values. The USDA also says the U.S. will see an agricultural trade surplus this year of $23 billion, thanks to stronger exports and more…
Sunset Proposal in NAFTA 2.0
As the next round of negotiations regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement approach, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is considering submitting a “sunset” proposal. That’s a provision…
OTA Files Lawsuit Against USDA Over Organic Livestock Standards
The Organic Trade Association announced a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture over its failure to advance new organic livestock standards. The suit alleges USDA violated the Organic Foods Production…
Censky, McKinney, Nomination Hearing Scheduled
…Agriculture. McKinney, Indiana Agriculture Director, was nominated to be the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Hearings for other nominees to top USDA posts, Including Iowa…