09/06/2017: Resolution of sugar dispute with Mexico sets positive tone for NAFTA talks

NGFA logo - courtesy of NGFA

 The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commended U.S. and Mexican negotiators for reaching an agreement in principle addressing U.S. imports of Mexican sugar, saying that once finalised it will help remove a significant trade irritant as all-important negotiations to modernise the North American Free Trade Agreement begin later this summer. 

 NGFA President Randy Gordon commented, "We commend Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and their teams for their determination, persistence and diligence in reaching this sugar-suspension agreement."

 He continues, "This positive outcome shows what can be accomplished when trade negotiators engage in good faith discussions and share a mutual commitment to reach a successful outcome that preserves food and agricultural trade and enhances economic growth and job creation in North America. In addition to preserving corn, corn products, meat and other U.S. food and agricultural trade with Mexico, Secretary Ross's and Minister Guajardo's success in reaching this agreement in principle is highly significant in creating a conducive, can-do environment as the United States, Canada and Mexico prepare to begin vitally important talks to modernise NAFTA in mid-August." 

 The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of more than 1,050 grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 7,000 facilities and handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation's grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA also consists of 29 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, and has strategic alliances with Pet Food Institute and North American Export Grain Association.

Visit the NGFA website here. 

 

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Mexico Trucking Dispute Agreement Reached

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have reached an agreement to resolve the dispute over cross-border trucking. The dispute erupted in March 2009 when Mexico placed higher tariffs on an estimated US$2.4 billion of US goods after the US Congress cut off funding to renew a pilot program that let a limited number of Mexican trucking companies to haul freight beyond a 25-mile US commercial zone.

Mexico had instituted tariffs in retaliation for the United States not complying with the trucking provision of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The provision was supposed to become effective in December 1995. Half of the US$2.4 billion in Mexican retaliatory tariffs are to be lifted as soon as the agreement is finalized. The remainder of the tariffs will be lifted when the necessary safety tests are completed and the first Mexican truck rolls across the U.S. border, according to a statement from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

USDOT issues proposal to resolve truck dispute with Mexico

• A proposal was issued today by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide the framework for negotiations to resolve the cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico. The concept proposal identifies issues related to truck safety issues.

• Included: requirements that drivers have good driving records and understand U.S. and state driving laws; drivers can speak sufficient English; vehicles are safe to drive and comply with emissions standards; vehicles be inspected and carriers have safety management programs in place.

The Obama administration has released a concept paper intended to pave the way to ending the nearly two-year-long dispute of the Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program. Western Growers has worked with several federal agencies including USDA, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative since March of 2009, to resolve this dispute as the specialty crop industry, particularly producers of grapes, pears, and strawberries have seen sales to Mexico drop considerably due to the retaliatory tariffs levied by Mexico on these, and other, U.S. agricultural products. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack phoned Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif this morning telling him of the announcement.

“We welcome this news as a positive first step in resolving a serious problem that has been detrimental to many of our growers and shippers in California and Arizona,” said Nassif.  “It is our hope that the United States government will reach a favorable agreement with Mexico and that the U.S. Congress will be ready and willing to consider and support a plan that is reasonable and fair.” Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.