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USDA Announces Trade and Food Aid

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid. Consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, USDA is utilizing funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation …

Audio, Exports, Food, Trade, USDA

USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission Delegation Visits Chile

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

USDA Under Secretary Leads Trade Mission to Japan

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

Agri-Pulse Webinar – Farming in an Integrated World

Cindy Zimmerman

An upcoming Agri-Pulse webinar will address “Farming in an Integrated World,” how disparate global crop protection standards disrupt trade, exacerbate food insecurity and restrict farmers’ ability to grow and export safe, high-quality food. “U.S. farmers and ranchers have long been some of the most productive and efficient in the world but they need access to safe, modern farming tools in …

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Exports, Trade

Mexican Ban on Biotech Corn Would Have Broad Impact

Cindy Zimmerman

A coalition of food and agriculture industry stakeholders in both Mexico and the United States released a new study this week revealing the broad impacts of Mexico’s proposed ban on biotech corn. The report, which was conducted in September 2022 by World Perspectives Inc., reveals that the proposed restrictions would adversely impact food security in North America and raise consumer …

Audio, Biotech, Corn, Exports, GMO, NCGA, Trade

USDA Secretary Vilsack from COP26

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had a busy week at COP26 last week, participating in numerous events to underscore the administration’s commitment to climate action. 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 …

Audio, Environment, International, Trade, USDA

Former USDA Economist Comments on Current Trade Climate

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual roundtable 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 2008-2014. …

Audio, Exports, Trade

Administration Plans to Press China on Trade Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

NASDA Wraps With New President and New CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture wrapped up its annual meeting Wednesday with the election of New York Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball as 2021-2022 President. Ball held a press conference at the conclusion of the annual meeting, along with retiring NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn and her successor Ted McKinney, and NASDA Senior Director of Public Policy RJ …

Audio, Trade

Vilsack Promises to Press China on Phase One

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack promises to press China to fulfill its Phase One trade agreement obligations, but admits it’s complicated. “We’re involved in a multiple level, complex relationship with China,” said Vilsack during a virtual appearance before the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Ag Outlook Forum Monday. “And it’s not a simple thing to put together …

Agribusiness, Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA