The Senate Finance Committee grilled U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer during a hearing Tuesday on the administrations trade policy, including how agriculture may be impacted. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) questioned Greer about the impact of, and goals for, tariff usage. “My question to you is, in the medium to the long term, do you plan to turn these tariffs …
President Trump Targets Tariffs to Support Farmers
Announcing reciprocal tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners Wednesday, President Donald Trump stressed the importance of fairness in export markets for agriculture. “With today’s actions, we’re also standing up for our great farmers and ranchers who are brutalized by nations all over the world, brutalized,” said Trump, singling out countries such as Canada for its tariffs on dairy products, …
Trump Says Tariffs May Require Adjustment Period
In his address to Congress Tuesday, President Donald Trump said farmers may have to “bear with” him when it comes to tariffs on agricultural products, but he promises it will be worth it. “A new trade policy will also be great for the American farmer. I love the farmer. We’ll now be selling it to our home market in the …
Trump Talks Ethanol With Japan
President Trump wants to supply Japan with U.S. ethanol. During a press conference with Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his country is interested in importing … “bioethanol, ammonia and other resources” which could help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. “I want to just say that, on the ethanol, Iowa is going to be very happy. Nebraska, …
Senators Question USTR Nominee on Ag and Biofuels Exports
Members of the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing for the nomination of Jamieson Greer as the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) both questioned Greer about the issue of Brazil’s tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports, as well as other issues with countries such as China and Mexico in relation to …
USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission Delegation Visits Chile
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor led an agribusiness delegation to Santiago, Chile this week with representatives from the U.S. food and agriculture sectors and state departments of agriculture. “As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of U.S.-Chile relations, I am honored to lead such an incredible group as we work with Chilean importers on expanding …
USDA Under Secretary Leads Trade Mission to Japan
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor led a trade mission to Japan this week with representatives from 11 state departments of agriculture, numerous farm organizations, and 40 agribusinesses looking to connect with future business partners in Japan. “As one of the largest world economies, Japan is one of the top and most reliable trading partners …
Hearing Explores Agricultural Trade Issues
Senators heard from representatives of U.S. peanut growers, dairy producers and wheat farmers Thursday during a hearing on “Agricultural Trade: Priorities and Issues Facing America’s Farmers.” Representing the U.S. Peanut Federation before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, was Karla Baker Thompson with JET Farms Georgia and Integrity Farms of Camilla, Georgia. Thompson highlighted the decline …
Vilsack Talks Trade With Mexican Officials
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack met with his counterpart Mexico Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Victor Villalobos this week to “continue cooperation on shared priorities including open trade, science-based policy making, and sustainable and climate-smart agricultural production.” That meeting resulted in Vilsack and Villalobos announcing that the two countries have agreed to final actions to expanded access to the …
USDA Secretary from COP26
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a media call Friday afternoon from COP26 in Glasgow, UK. He discussed COP26 events, the recently-announced partnership with the EU and the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate. Taking questions from reporters, Vilsack also commented on trade issues, the Build Back Better act, “climate smart commodities,” methane emissions and livestock, biofuels talk at COP26, CSAF …
Farmers for Free Trade Panel
Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual roundtable last Thursday to focus on the current trade landscape, the Biden administration’s trade agenda, and how ag exports are critical to workers throughout America. On the panel was Dr. Joseph Glauber, currently Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute but well known as former chief economist at USDA from …
Administration Plans to Press China on Trade Agreement
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai delivered remarks Monday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) “outlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China bilateral trade relationship.” Ambassador Tai said they will begin by having discussions with China about its performance under the Phase One Agreement and commitments made “that benefit certain American industries, including agriculture, that …
2021 NASDA Annual Meeting
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Hybrid Annual Meeting – Louisville, KY – Sept. 19-22 – hosted by NASDA president and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles with the theme “Redefining Agriculture” U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, provide perspective on administration priorities and issues important to …
Agricultural Leaders Release Roadmap for Trade
Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual press conference Tuesday to release a new report on the challenges and solutions for American agriculture on trade, supply chains and global competitiveness. The report is the culmination of a series of discussions across rural America with farmers, ag leaders and related industries including manufacturing and food producers and distributors. The report, organized …
Agri-Pulse Hosts National Pork Board Webinar on Trade
Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant moderated a discussion on Thursday with USDA Trade Undersecretary Ted McKinney, North Carolina hog farmer Jan Archer, and Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes on how exports add value for pork producers and support U.S. jobs. The event was sponsored by the National Pork Board. Watch the webinar here. Listen to the audio here: (1 hour)