WTO

A new report from the World Trade Organization says agricultural trade has performed “better” than other economic sectors during COVID-19. However, the report notes that farmers and ranchers are still feeling pressure from lower food prices. “Overal ...

Major countries involved in the World Trade Organization, including China and the U.S., pledged to keep from imposing restrictions on the free flow of food. Although a few countries have imposed such export restrictions, trade experts fear more food export bans could be on the horizon, which also happened during a global spike in the price of food in 2007 ...

Truth in Labeling has been a topic of discussion during the short 2020 legislative session in Olympia, leading to several proposed bills that will impact the farm community.  One, proposed by Representative Joel Kretz looks to require retailers to post a sign in the immediate vicinity to distinguish between “USA beef and “imported” products.  For beef to quality ...

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association expressed disappointment last week because country of origin labeling was not included in USMCA. The group penned a letter to President Trump following House passage of the USMCA implementing legislation.  ...

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is seeking dialogue with the Department of Ag on Product of USA Labels.  A recent petition to USDA asks the Food Safety and Inspection Service to change how the labels are treated in a way NCBA says would return the U.S. to mand...

A recent independent report suggests U.S. trade aid in 2019 for farmers may surpass limits set in World Trade Organization commitments. The report for the American Enterprise Institute by Joe Glauber, a former Department of Agriculture Chief Economist, suggests the size of payments made to producers in 2019 may encourage other WTO members to challenge the payments...

The National Milk Producers Federation Thanked President Trump for including European dairy products on a new tariff list. The organization Thursday sent a letter to Trump to “commend his Administration for its excellent judgment” for including the products.   Th...

The National Milk Producers Federation Thanked President Trump for including European dairy products on a new tariff list. The organization Thursday sent a letter to Trump to “commend his Administration for its excellent judgment” for including the products.   The ta...

The World Trade Organization ruled against the United States in a pre-trade war dispute with China, opening the door for more retaliatory tariffs.  The ruling says some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods do not comply with WTO rules.  The case opened in 2012 when the United States implemented tariffs aimed at products the U.S. claimed "we...

The World Trade Organization has been receiving complaints about the aid money that U.S. farmers are getting from the government. However, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said he’s not concerned that the payments will be a problem.   “We had to design a program very carefully to make sure we do not violate the WTO limit,” he said to reporters in Washington. “We feel like we’re s...