The Senate Finance Hearing on United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) took place in Washington, D.C., this week. Discussion centred on the importance of North American free trade to U.S. agriculture and the economy as a whole. Agriculture was well represented on the panel by former USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is the current president… Read More
From early frost to widespread drought, farmer Cherilyn Nagel’s crop potential is far from “hitting it out of the park,” and beyond that, she has further external stress. “Everything that we grow is destined for an export market,” says Nagel. “And that’s always been the case, there’s nothing new about that, but now more than… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Ottawa today. This was the first time the Pence has been in the nation’s capital, and the country, with his current title. During time with the media, the prime minister told reporters, “millions of families on both sides of the border depend on the Canada-U.S…. Read More
The United States and Canada have found a truce on the steel and aluminum tariffs which, as promised, presents a window to ratify USMCA (NAFTA 2.0) before the fall. As export-related agricultural commodity organizations push for a Canadian ratification of the USMCA agreement, the Dairy Farmers of Canada is asking the Canadian government to tap… Read More
There was a time when the USMCA negotiation dominated agricultural trade headlines. But that was before the U.S./China trade war standoff. Still, the importance and momentum on ratifying the “new NAFTA” needs to continue. For Canadian agricultural exporters, NAFTA was deemed a success during its tenure, and the USMCA holds the majority of that export-dependent… Read More
After almost a year of tariffs on steel and aluminum, Canada and the United States have reached an agreement to eliminate associated tariffs on both sides of the border. The agreement, released Friday, May 17, states: The United States and Canada agree to eliminate, no later than two days from the issuance of this statement:… Read More
By Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada The world has become protectionist. There is, justifiably, much focus on issues with China. But it is not just China. Canadian agriculture commodities are blocked in India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam and face issues in key markets such as Peru. Countries are turning inward, finding new ways… Read More
Farmers and ranchers across North America have lobbied hard for the continuation of NAFTA and now the ratification of the USMCA. Ratification, however, seems elusive and is stalled for different reasons in all three signatory countries. One of the major obstructions is the section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs still in place. Canada has temporarily… Read More
Perhaps lost in the hustle and bustle of the USMCA trade dealings is the fact that Canada did retaliate against the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs with tariffs of our own on over 40 grocery and food related items. The full brunt of those tariffs is likely just beginning to be felt at the consumer… Read More
Much of the recent media attention has been on Canada’s Prime Minister and former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould, SNC Lavalin, and China blocking Canadian canola. However, NAFTA 2.0 — or USMCA — that dominated the news loop for weeks on end might make headlines once again. On Monday, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, David… Read More
The federal government has earmarked nearly $4 billion in compensation in its next budget for those involved in the supply-managed sector. Now, dairy, chicken, and turkey groups are waiting for the specific details on how the money will be doled out. “What I see here in the budget is something that, where the government is… Read More
The Canadian government needs to start being honest with itself and farmers. Talking a tougher game would be a great start. China has hijacked the Canadian canola industry. Until someone proves to me otherwise I will continue to say that China’s cancellation of a major grain company’s export license is political. Pretending that this is… Read More
Canadians are very much wrapped up in the testimony of Jody Wilson-Raybould and Gerald Butts on the SNC-Lavalin scandal. When your house is amid chaos and controversy it can be very difficult for a government to get their work done. For farmers and ranchers in Canada there is a very important piece of business to… Read More
At Commodity Classic last week there was no avoiding people discussing trade issues. With the volume of carryover of agricultural commodities in the United States, exports are critical. Canadian farmers are also watching the U.S./China talks with keen interest, and the USMCA ratification as this issue greatly impacts Canada as well. The USMCA ratification is… Read More
Throughout the NAFTA talks there were many things that Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. did not agree on. One of the sectors that was fortunate to have the major check-off organizations on the same page was the beef sector. This cooperation was in place even before the NAFTA talks on issues such as country of… Read More