With U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” rhetoric, it looked like NAFTA renegotiations would end in a stalemate. However, Canadian giveaways to appease Trump are keeping talks for a reformed North American Free Trade Agreement alive. Farmers and consumers must not be complacent regarding the federal government’s political commitments to defend supply management against Trump’s […] Read more
NAFTA — page 8
Dairy not sounding like deal breaker
Americans would like to see NAFTA talks address supply management, but no one wants it to jeopardize the trade deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Canada’s dairy system continues to be the main agricultural issue vexing North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations, U.S. politicians and agriculture officials say. It was the only specific NAFTA complaint about agricultural trade raised by a number of Washington players in meetings with North American Agricultural Journalists. “We want to make sure […] Read more
Trudeau optimistic, says successful NAFTA deal is likely
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that a successful deal to renegotiate NAFTA is likely amid signs negotiators may be closer to settling one of the regional trade pact’s most contentious issues. Trudeau’s comments were his most upbeat yet about talks to update the $1.2 trillion North American Free Trade […] Read more
NAFTA talks cordial around agricultural issues
Negotiators have agreed to set aside supply management and focus on issues such as sugar and meat testing
OTTAWA — As the seventh round of North American Free Trade Agreement talks concluded in Mexico City, Canada’s chief agricultural negotiator said the negotiations remain cordial. That’s likely because in agriculture there are more technical than political issues. Frederic Seppey told the recent Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting that if Canada chose to engage […] Read moreNAFTA and more up for discussion at canola meeting
Trade uncertainty has Canadian ag manufacturers anxious
WINNIPEG (CNS) – With Canada in the midst of numerous free trade agreement negotiations, the Canadian agricultural manufacturing industry is feeling on edge. While the future of some trade deals for Canada is bright, others aren’t looking so good. “The lack of clarity around NAFTA is the big issue at the moment. It’s got a […] Read more
Trade bloc Mercosur, Canada launch talks for trade deal
ASUNCION (Reuters) – South American trade bloc Mercosur formally launched discussions for a trade deal with Canada on Friday, in a move officials said would signal an embrace of free trade at a time other countries are moving toward protectionist policies. For Canada, the talks with the group, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, […] Read more
U.S. farmers say steel tariffs are ‘disastrous’
Corn and soybean growers worried about retaliation
On March 8, farm organizations such as the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Association of Wheat Grower, all released statements condemning the U.S. president’s decision to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The soybean association used particularly strong language in its statement, saying the decision was a “disastrous […] Read more
Key sectors for Canada, Mexico as White House ties tariffs to NAFTA
OTTAWA/MEXICO CITY, March 8 (Reuters) – The White House has tied U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to a better NAFTA trade deal, offering a potential 30-day exemption for Mexico and Canada. The United States’ two NAFTA partners have both resisted linking the tariffs to the North American Free Trade […] Read more
Trump upsets trade world with tariff proposals
It’s been a busy day for Canada-United States trade. It all started at 5:47 a.m. when Donald Trump typed out a convoluted tweet, linking steel tariffs, Canadian restrictions on U.S. agricultural goods and the North American Free Trade Deal. “Tariffs on steel and aluminum will come off if new & fair NAFTA agreement is signed. […] Read more
