U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has been remarkably consistent about his country’s main agricultural concern – and demand – with Canada that it wants dealt with in a new NAFTA: Class 7 milk has shut off a growing market for U.S. dairy exports, and it has led to an increase of Canadian exports into […] Read more
NAFTA — page 5
Nothing new in US NAFTA position: Class 7 will be at the core of any deal
That's good and bad news, but at least we know what the US wants
NAFTA jitters get extension
Last week’s failure to reach a North American Free Trade Agreement deal wasn’t a total surprise. The U.S. and Mexico agreed to a bilateral trade deal Aug. 27, so Canada and the U.S. had only a few days of formal meetings to reach a deal before an arbitrary deadline of Aug. 31, imposed by President […] Read more
Losing dispute resolution a worry
Farmers are concerned about losing NAFTA’s Chapter 19, saying it has been valuable in their relations with the U.S.
In 2017, Canada exported more than $3 billion worth of canola oil, meal and other canola products to the United States. Those exports represent a fair chunk of the $23.3 billion in agricultural commodities and food that Canada shipped to the U.S last year. Given the billions of dollars, it’s obvious why Jim Everson is […] Read more
U.S. to move ahead with Mexico trade pact, keep talking to Canada
WASHINGTON/TORONTO (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress on Friday of his intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico after talks with Canada broke up on Friday with no immediate deal to revamp the tri-nation North American Free Trade Agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said U.S. officials would resume talks with their […] Read more
U.S., Canada slug it out as deadline looms to clinch NAFTA deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Canada and the United States will make a final push to iron out differences on a pact to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by a Friday deadline set by President Donald Trump, but the atmosphere soured late on Thursday according to a media report. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer […] Read more
Canada expected to give in on dairy at NAFTA
Three percent, five percent or seven percent. It’s become clear to trade experts that Canada will have to give American farmers a share of Canada’s dairy market to reach an agreement on a new NAFTA deal. But no one, except a few negotiators and government insiders, knows the answer to the critical question. “How much […] Read more
NAFTA vital for Sask. economy: Moe
While he would not comment about specifics surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement after his first minister phone call with Prime Minister Trudeau this morning, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his government will continue to promote the province’s interests. “With respect to NAFTA, and I won’t get into details with respect to where we […] Read more
Trump’s agenda sends beef sector on rocky road
LONDON, Ont. — North American beef producers are feeling the bumps and bruises as trade talks linger. The Canadian, American and Mexican beef sectors generally agree that the North American Free Trade Agreement is a good deal and they don’t want to see it disappear. However, the trade polices of U.S. President Donald Trump are […] Read more
NAFTA dispute mechanism in jeopardy following U.S.-Mexico deal
Over the last three decades, the dispute resolution mechanism of the North American Free Trade Agreement has been used about 120 times. Of those cases, about 15 were related to the agri-food sector, including decisions on the trade of beef, pork, live swine, durum wheat and raspberries. The dispute resolution section of NAFTA, often called […] Read more
White knuckle time for Canadian dairy and NAFTA
What will Canadian farmers need to sacrifice to save NAFTA?
It’s white knuckle time on NAFTA and there is a high chance of basic deal being agreed by Friday night. It’s going to affect Western Canadian farmers in a big way, but exactly how is too fluid for anybody to know, including Canada’s NAFTA lead Chrystia Freeland and the United States’ Robert Lighthizer. I can’t […] Read more
