With a record corn crop being harvested, exports are more important than ever. The United States exported more than 11 percent of the U.S. corn supply to over 100 countries in the 2013/2014 marketing year, which U.S. Grains Council president and CEO Tom Sleight says is a nice recovery from lost market share after the drought of 2012. In this …
NPPC Comments on Breakdown of TPP Talks
The National Pork Producers Council continues to carefully watch negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and expressed disappointment in the outcome of meetings last week with the Japanese. In this interview, NPPC Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano talks about what happened last week and why the issue is so important to U.S. pork producers.
NCBA Awaiting WTO Decision on COOL
The World Trade Organization has reportedly made a decision on the case against the United States mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law by Canada and Mexico, but it may be some time yet before we hear what it is. In this interview, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus talks about the background on …
Secretary Vilsack from Brussels
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is in Europe this week meet with European agricultural and trade officials and other industry stakeholders. Vilsack is visiting with officials in Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris, and Dublin to discuss the expansion of agricultural trade, the importance of agriculture’s role in the U.S.-European Union (EU) Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), and the benefits the trade agreement …
USDA Ag Trade Mission to China
USDA just concluded a trade mission to China promoting U.S. biofuels and agricultural products. Kelly Davis with Renewable Fuels Association, Jim Miller of Growth Energy and Roger Johnson president of National Farmer’s Union all participated in the trade mission and held a press conference today to discuss the results. Opening comments:
President Obama Comments on TPP in Japan
President Barack Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo this week and commented Wednesday on talks regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Obama said he believes the two sides can come together on an agreement but when asked by a Japanese reporter about specific agricultural commodities, such as rice and beef, provided few details.
Ag Groups and Grassley on Japan’s TPP Offer
The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations are drawing to a conclusion, but Japan wants to exclude a number of agricultural products as part of a final agreement. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and several agricultural organizations held a press conference today to discuss why that is unacceptable and to urge the administration to reject Japan’s offer. In addition to Sen. Grassley, …
NCGA Testimony on Trade Negotiations
During a House Committee on Small Business hearing this week in Washington, National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson provided policy recommendations for the U.S. Trade Representative on growing export opportunities, particularly the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Listen to or download Pam’s testimony and answers to questions from lawmakers:
National Pork Trade Update
The National Pork Producers Council held a telephone press conference this morning from Brussels, Belgium to discuss important trade issues related to U.S. pork, including the Chilean pork safeguard proceeding and the U.S. response, latest on U.S. Country of Origin Labeling and actions by Canada and Mexico, and progress on a U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement – the Transatlantic Trade and …