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 …
Trade Ambassador Addresses NASDA
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke to state agriculture officials across the country Tuesday during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Hybrid Annual Meeting. “Farmers are always planning for the future and that’s what we have to do together,” said Tai in a pre-recorded conversation with NASDA member Derek Sandison, Washington State Director of Agriculture. “I want …
China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol
Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …
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 …
Outlook for Beef in Trade Negotiations
U.S. cattle producers are poised to recover from challenges during the global pandemic more quickly than their competitors, said Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Sr. Director of International Trade and Market Access. “It’s important that we’re able to deliver the greatest profit margin possible to our producers, and any way that trade policy can help in that process …
Seed Industry Focused on Trade, Innovation and Regulations
Trade challenges, regulatory issues, and innovation top the list of seed industry concerns in 2020. Attendees at the virtual American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo this week have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions on domestic policy and phytosanitary issues as well as innovation and trade. ASTA Vice President of Scientific Affairs & Policy Fan-Li …
USDA Under Secretary McKinney Addresses Ag Retailers
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney addressed the 2020 Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo Wednesday to update attendees on the U.S. trade situation at the end of 2020. In a quick spin around the world, McKinney touched on trade and COVID19 in different countries, including Mexico and Canada with USMCA, China and the Phase …
USDA and USTR Release Report on China Trade
An interim report from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlights the progress made so far in implementing the agricultural provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. To date, China has implemented at least 50 of the 57 technical commitments under the Phase One Agreement. These structural changes will benefit American …
Ambassador Doud Proud of Trade Accomplishments
The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative gave an update on the phase one agreement with China, and talked about what he believes are the major trade accomplishments of the Trump administration for the nation’s farmers and ranchers during an appearance at the 2020 Agribusiness Council of Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum on Monday. “How many of you …
All Ag All Day Reports From DC
Thanks to COVID, there have been few opportunities for in-person visits on Capitol Hill but farm broadcaster Tony Ricketts spent all last week on the 4th Annual All Ag, All Day DC Capitol Ag Tour. Ricketts met with members of Congress, including the House Ag Committee, and agricultural industry leaders to discuss important topics such as trade, infrastructure, broadband, and …