Policy Articles
New Developments in USMCA Process
Published December 9, 2019
The Wall Street Journal is reporting House Democrats and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are close to completing their work on the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. Over the weekend, Mexico’s foreign minister accepted a U.S. demand on steel. Mexico will…Negotiations Intensify Ahead of Next Round of Tariffs
Published December 9, 2019
Trade talks between the U.S. and China are ramping up. The Trump Administration’s next round of tariffs against Chinese products is scheduled to take effect on December 15. Early today, a Chinese commerce ministry official said both sides must respect…MFU Minute
Published December 8, 2019
The Minnesota Farmers Union hosted another successful annual meeting this year. President Gary Wertish has a recap of the meeting in the latest MFU Minute.MN Corn Matters
Published December 8, 2019
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association held a pre-resolutions meeting in Wilmar this past week. Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Les Anderson has more in this edition of Corn Matters.Rockstad Elected to Chair RRVSGA
Published December 6, 2019
Ada, Minnesota farmer Neil Rockstad was elected chair of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association this week. "Sugar has had some successes on the political front," says Rockstad. "We'll keep working together to forward those movements." The association held…Losses Seen Throughout the Beet Industry
Published December 6, 2019
Sugarbeet farmers from throughout the Red River Valley suffered losses this past season. Minn-Dak Sugar board chairman Pat Freese says those challenges also extend to other U.S. sugarbeet production areas. "It's not only for (American) Crystal, Minn-Dak and Southern Minn.…U.S. Soybean/Pork Exports Exempted From Tariffs
Published December 6, 2019
The Chinese government is taking steps to exempt some U.S. soybeans and pork from punitive tariffs. The state-run Chinese news agency made that announcement, but the story did not specify the amount of imports that would be exempted. President Donald…Livestock Industry Praises Passage of U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
Published December 4, 2019
The news that the Japanese Parliament has ratified a trade agreement with the U.S. is being praised by the livestock industry. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane calls it a huge win for U.S. cattle…Japanese Parliament Approves U.S. Trade Agreement
Published December 4, 2019
The Upper House of the Japanese Parliament has approved the trade agreement with the U.S. This paves the way for tariff reductions on over $7 billion of U.S. agricultural products, including beef, pork, nuts, sorghum, sweet corn and others. It…