Trading nations face many hurdles as they work to develop global markets for the agricultural products they produce. In an era of increasing protectionism, a quick take on the business of world trade would likely conclude that politics and domestic concerns stand as the biggest hurdle to gaining access to global agricultural markets. But that’s… Read More
Category: Politics
A cascade of geopolitical events is helping shape current agricultural markets and the deluge of developments also promise to move markets into the New Year. Leading the surge is the Trump administration’s tariff policies and the potential impact on North American trade. In this report, RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney and Steve Nicholson, Rabobank’s global sector strategist… Read More
When 2024 started, the RealAg Issues panel referred to some big political decisions that would be made prior to the next review or negotiation of the CUSMA/USMCA trade deal. On the horizon was Mexico’s national election; the U.S. was set to head to the polls in early November, and it was anyone’s guess if Justin… Read More
In each province, to varying degrees and over time, rural development has been part of the agriculture portfolio. It comes and goes — Ontario was the latest province to spin rural affairs out of the ag mix and into its own ministry. There’s an argument to be made for including or excluding rural development with… Read More
Protecting farmland, strengthening business risk management programs, and ensuring the future of agricultural education and research are top priorities for Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner as the prospect of a 2025 provincial election draws nearer. While addressing delegates attending the Ontario Federation of Agriculture annual general meeting last week, Schreiner took direct aim… Read More
Words matter. When it comes to strategic negotiations, choosing words carefully can mean the difference between a productive dialogue that gets everyone closer to a deal or act like a wedge that splits an insurmountable gap between parties. For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet, choosing the right strategy when working with incoming U.S…. Read More
Senator Rob Black gets around. Appointed in 2018, he’s earned a reputation for his diligent commitment to agriculture issues and ensuring they get their fair share of attention in the upper house of Canada’s parliament. Black was on hand this week at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture AGM at Toronto where he kicked off the… Read More
Drew Spoelstra has been re-elected to a second, one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The Binbrook, Ont., dairy and crop farmer was chosen to lead the provincial farm lobby at an executive meeting following the conclusion of the organization’s annual convention in Toronto this week. “I appreciate the trust and… Read More
President-elect Donald Trump has selected trade lawyer Jamieson Greer to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Greer previously served as chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, Trump’s USTR during his first term. He will hold one of the most influential cabinet seats when it comes to the future of North American agriculture, alongside… Read More
B.C. Premier David Eby is bringing back a familiar face to represent agriculture in his new cabinet. Lana Popham was sworn in as B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food as Eby unveiled his cabinet on Monday following the narrow win for his incumbent NDP in the provincial election last month. Popham served as B.C.’s ag… Read More