U.S. Agricultural Exports- Data Update from USDA
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its monthly agricultural trade data. Today's update includes an overview of some observations from the data with a focus on corn, soybeans,…
Senate Hearings- Trade, and Conservation Reserve Program Examined
On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing to consider three nominees for key trade positions, while the Senate Ag Committee questioned two nominees for Undersecretary posts at the…
Ag Trade: USDA Export Data and Stakeholder Issues
Today's update highlights recent information on U.S. agricultural exports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and also explores agricultural related trade issues that have been identified in recent news articles.
NAFTA Renegotiation: Round Two Complete; While Concerns Surface on Korean Trade Pact
The U.S., Mexico and Canada concluded a second round of NAFTA discussions yesterday as President Trump has continued to criticize the trade measure. Meanwhile, concerns surfaced over the weekend about the…
NAFTA Renegotiation: Round One Complete, President Trump Reiterates Threat to Pull Out of the Agreement
Sara Schaefer-Munoz and Bob Davis reported in Monday's Wall Street Journal that, "[In the opening-round of talks to remake the North American Free Trade Agreement] which concluded Sunday, the [U.S., Mexico,…
NAFTA 2.0: Renegotiations Begin
William Mauldin and Paul Vieira reported earlier this week at The Wall Street Journal Online that, "The Trump administration launched the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement Wednesday…
NAFTA Negotiations Set to Begin: Background– Pork, Corn Issues Noted
Today's update looks at recent news items that focus on the first round of NAFTA trade negotiations that are scheduled to start this week. Along with some general background, the…
House Ag Committee Examines NAFTA- Trade Issues
Since President Trump took office in January, many in the agricultural sector have been leery of potential executive branch actions on trade, particularly with respect to China and our NAFTA…
Policy Change on U.S. Beef Exports to China- Early Impacts Explored
Recall that last month, trade rules regarding U.S beef exports to China were finalized. The U.S. had not exported beef to China since 2003, and on June 30th, an update…
U.S. Ag Trade Data Update: Some Interesting Observations
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its monthly agricultural trade data. The data contained some interesting information with respect to U.S. agricultural exports. The U.S. ran a…
Farm State Senators to USTR: On NAFTA, “Do No Harm.”
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing yesterday to examine the administration’s approach to trade policy, and heard testimony from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Farm state lawmakers expressed concern…
As Mexico Explores Options to Reduce Reliance on U.S. Ag Imports, NAFTA Ag Ministers Meet in Georgia
Wall Street Journal writer Jacob Bunge reported late last week that, "Friction between the U.S. and Mexico over trade is starting to cut into sales for U.S. farmers and agricultural…
Agriculture “Holding Its Breath” as NAFTA Renegotiation Nears
Andrew Soergel reported earlier this week at U.S. News Online that, "As President Donald Trump's administration sifts through its trade toolbox, preparing to tinker with the North American Free Trade…
U.S. Ag Exports to China: Soybeans and Corn
Mary A. Marchant indicated recently at Choices Online that, "International trade deficits have recently been reputed as 'bad' for the economy; however, agriculture has posted a trade surplus since 1959…
NAFTA Renegotiation Formally Launched– Agricultural Perspectives
Shawn Donnan and Jude Webber reported on Thursday at The Financial Times Online that, "Donald Trump has fired the starting gun on renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement…
USDA Reorganization Proposal Highlights Trade; China Trade Deal Includes Beef
Donnelle Eller reported on the front page of Friday's Des Moines Register that, "Opening markets for U.S. corn, soybeans and other farm goods would get more attention under a major…
Secretary Perdue Visits Iowa- Discusses Trade, RFS
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited an Iowa farm on Friday and took questions from producers. In his remarks, Secretary Perdue addressed a number of issues; today's update focuses more…
Secretary Perdue Intervenes on NAFTA- Trade Issues Persist
During last week's tumultuous developments on trade, news reports indicated that Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was providing President Trump with data driven advice with respect to NAFTA and agriculture,…
U.S. Dairy Trade Issues- Trump Weighs In
Recall that a FarmPolicyNews update last week noted that a trade dispute with Canada over dairy policies related to ultra-filtered milk is adversely impacting some dairy farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota,…
Agricultural Trade and Trump
Many agricultural producers have expressed concern over the direction of executive branch trade policy since January. These apprehensions may not be universally shared in all quarters of Rural America; however,…