Trade
US and Japan to meet on agriculture market access
U.S. and Japanese officials are to discuss agriculture market access issues this week in Tokyo. Market access has become a major obstacle to a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement involving...
Vilsack in Europe to promote US-EU farm trade
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is on a whirlwind tour of Europe this week with the goal of expanding trans-Atlantic agricultural trade.
China blocks import of US corn byproduct on GMO grounds
Chinese quarantine officials are barring imports of distillers dried grains from the United States because they may contain a genetically modified organism that is not approved by China, said Reuters.
US-Brazil cotton settlement reported, USDA says not so
"Brazil is likely to receive $400 million from the United States as part of an agreement to compensate the South American country" in the decade-old cotton subsidy dispute, says Agro-South.
Mexico, Canada and US vow fair and open ag trade
The agriculture ministers of the three giant nations of North America met in Mexico City and issued a statement "to reaffirm the benefits of fair and open trade for our economies and food security...From Mexico City, to Washington, to Ottawa, we will continue to show the world how trade and open borders support economic growth and jobs."
U.S.-Japan talks boost odds for Pacific trade pact-Froman
There is new momentum for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement among a dozen nations, as a result of last week's U.S.-Japan talks, said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. During a Senate Finance hearing, Froman said the talks in Tokyo "identified a path forward on agriculture and autos, two of the most challenging areas."
US, Japan discuss parameters for agricultural market access
Japanese and U.S. negotiators explored various factors that control market openings for farm imports during President Obama's visit, a senior administration official told reporters.
U.S. and Japan find “path forward” on trade
The leaders of the United States and Japan say "they have made significant progress on the agriculture and auto issues that have blocked a huge Asia-Pacific trade deal following intense talks," says Politico.
Obama trip to Asia has farm trade implications
President Obama will meet the leaders of four nations - Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines - during a trip through Asia that begins on Tuesday.
U.S. will investigate sugar imports from Mexico
The Commerce Department announced it will open an investigation into charges that Mexico is dumping subsidized sugar in the United States
Senators urge more market opening by Japan
Eighteen US senators sign letter to USTR Michael Froman saying United States should press Japan to increase market access for US farm exports.
Ag trade deficit tops $15 billion with four months to go
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit was a record $17 billion in fiscal year 2023 and is certain to break records again this year, according to preliminary federal data released on Monday. The cumulative deficit totaled $15.2 billion at the end of May, with four months remaining in fiscal year 2024.