Asia

Both parties challenged U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai repeatedly on the administration’s failure to negotiate market-opening free trade deals and even pursuing a ‘go-it-alone’ policy without consulting lawmakers on trade.   “Congres...

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently announced the speaker lineup and registration details for its 2023 Spring Conference, set for May 24-26 in Minneapolis, MN.  The opening general session will feature USMEF's senior staff from the Asia Pacific region, who will discuss emerging issues in key Asian markets, including how the removal of many COVID restrictions could provide momentum for the reg

Experts said it is perhaps the biggest threats to North American bat populations.   “The disease called White Nose Syndrome," said U.S. Forest Service researcher Roger Perry.  "It’s caused by a fungus introduced in the United States about 2006.”   Perry says ...

As COVID restrictions are lifting across SE Asia, U.S. red meat suppliers had their first opportunity to meet face-to-face with buyers from the Philippines and Vietnam.  The U.S. Meat Products Showcase, made possible through support from USDA, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, was originally planned for 2020 but was delayed because of COVID.  Dave Re...

Between drought and input costs, the beef industry nationwide is facing a variety of challenges.  The University of Idaho’s Phil Bass noted following the slowdowns from the pandemic, larger packing facilities are running at or near capacity which is good news moving product out to customers.  But when it c...

The Department of Agriculture will invest $220 million in eight new school feeding projects.  The projects are expected to benefit more than a million children across 2,200 schools in food-insecure countries in Africa and East Asia.  Agricul...

The supply chain continues to be a challenge for Americans, not only when it comes to products coming into the United States, but goods heading out.  Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission said they continue to struggle when it comes to getting product overseas, despite red hot demand for U.S. potato...

Key industry groups say the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, recently signed into law by President Biden, hasn’t fixed West Coast shipping problems for U.S. dairy exports.  The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council trade manager Tony Rice says the Act was supposed to end abuses by ocean carriers. “But u...

During the recent U.S. Meat Export Federation annual meeting, former Trade Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, discussed what he sees as keys to improving relations with the massive consumer of American ag products. He noted tops on his list; relationships ...

The Administration is gearing up for talks with key trading partners when it comes to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The hope is the strategy will strengthen trade relationships with allies in Asia. Travis Arp, Assistant Vice President of Export Services with U ...