WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development welcome and strongly support passage of S. 1839, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, introduced Tuesday by Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). …
Historic Chinese Agreement to Help U.S. Rice
History was made this week when an agreement permitting US rice exports to China was signed during bi-lateral trade meetings held in Washington DC. An inspection of US rice mills and packaging facilities by the Chinese phytosanitary authorities is the next step to take place. The first exports to China will take several months but will provide a boost to …
Iowa Gov and Ag Groups Announce China Trip
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will lead an all-Iowa agriculture trade mission to China July 19-28 with representatives from the state’s corn, pork, soy, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries. The trip marks the first time all of Iowa’s farm groups have come together for a trade mission which will be jointly funded by the participating organizations. Reynolds made the …
Nebraska Press Conference on Mexico Grain Trade
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts asked grain industry officials from Mexico and the United States join him Tuesday for a press conference to highlight the importance of Mexico to U.S. agriculture and how the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has benefited both countries. Representatives from the Nebraska Corn Board, the U.S. Grains Council, and the National Corn Growers Association joined …
NCBA Reacts to Regained Access to China
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) held a media conference call and Q&A session to discuss the historic reopening of the Chinese market to American-produced beef this morning. Speaking on the call were Craig Uden, NCBA President, and Kent Bacus, NCBA Director of International Trade and Market Access. “We’re very excited about this development, it’s another step closer to restoring …
Branstad Draws on Ag Experience in Confirmation Hearing
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad drew on his agricultural trade and ethanol experience, as well as his 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. When asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more U.S. chickens to China, Branstad agreed that China needs to have “a …
NAFTA’s Future Remains Uncertain
Following speculation that the U.S. might be preparing to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), President Trump agreed Wednesday evening to renegotiate the 23-year-old agreement with Canada and Mexico and “not to terminate NAFTA at this time.” As reports of a potential NAFTA withdrawal started to circulate on Wednesday, a Farm Foundation Forum was being held on …
Canadian Trade Policy Delivers Blow to Wisconsin Dairies
Over 70 Wisconsin dairy operations are already feeling the blow from a protectionist Canadian trade policy that has slammed the door on American dairy exports, violated existing trade commitments, and left farmers across the state scrambling to find milk buyers. Grassland Dairy Products Inc. informed over 70 operations this week that their contracts with the company will end May 1st, …
ZimmCast Delves Into the Cuban Gold Rush
Jamie Johansen recently had the opportunity to visit Cuba in her role as an agriculture journalist. While there, she learned about Cuban agriculture, tourism and the future role U.S. can play in each if the long-standing embargo is lifted. Chicago Foods International president Paul Johnson organized and led their delegation. Paul is no stranger to Cuba, making his first journey …
U.S. Trade Enforcement Action Against China
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers today announced the launch of trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The action challenges China’s use of “market price support” for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China’s commitments under WTO rules. Congressional members …
U.S Soy Global Trade Exchange
The 4th annual U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange & Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), took place in Indianapolis, IN and is the premiere global soy and grain trade event. Over 700 attendees gathered with 300 of them representing 55 countries across the globe all focused on U.S. soy. The event …
NFU Hosts Presser On TPP Opposition
While many United States trade officials are promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as an export-boon for agriculture, the National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to stand strong in their opposition of the free trade agreement. NFU hosted a media teleconference to talk about the TPP and announce a letter signed by 160 food, farm, faith and rural groups. “We are very …
Vilsack and Duvall Discuss Benefits of TPP
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall got together to discuss the benefit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for agriculture as AFBF released an economic analysis of the pending trade agreement. “Until today, we didn’t have a specific documented review or study of that benefit,” said Vilsack, said in thanking Farm Bureau for doing the …
#TPP Signed in New Zealand
Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers released a joint statement noting that the “signing of the agreement signals an important milestone and the beginning of …
Isreal Reopens for US Beef Imports
This week’s audio report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) discusses Israel’s recent decision to reopen to US beef. This will be the first time the country has allow US beef imports since December 2003, when the first confirmed case of BSE in the United States led many countries, including Israel, to suspend imports of U.S. beef. Israel is …