Weekly Food & Agriculture Update 9.30
WEEKLY FOOD & AGRICULTURE UPDATE
September 30, 2019
A quick look at what’s happening in Washington, D.C. that’s impacting food and agriculture. If you would like to subscribe to the receive the updates right to your inbox, please contact Marissa Dake.
Big Picture Outlook
Japan Trade Agreement Reached– On Wednesday, President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a partial trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan. The partial deal lowers tariffs on $7.2 billion worth of US goods and is scheduled to take effect in January. Negotiations on a larger comprehensive trade deal are set to begin in April. The agreement will put producers on an equal playing field with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), according to an Administration official. Agriculture-related provisions of the agreement include reduced tariffs on beef and pork, staggered tariff elimination on products such as cheese, oranges, and frozen poultry. Other products including broccoli, blueberries, and sweet corn will see tariff elimination to the tune of over $1.3 billion, while additional farm commodities, like wheat, will receive preferential market access through Country Specific Quotas (CSQs). Secretary Perdue called the agreement, “a particularly big win for our farmers and ranchers.” Unlike USMCA, this trade agreement does not require Congressional approval.
The Week Ahead
MTA In Action
On Monday, MTA team members Andrew Jerome and Michael Torrey played in the AgriBank AgOpen golf tournament benefiting Everybody Wins DC.
Left: Michael Torrey (on the left) with Jill Sommers from Patomack Global Partners and Andy LaVigne from the American Seed Trade Association.
Right: Andrew Jerome (third from the left) with the SNAC International team.
A Quick Look Back
- Producers to Receive Automatic Prevented Planting ‘Top-Up’ Payments
- Record September Snowfall Hits Montana, Northwest US States, Governor Declares Winter Emergency
- U.S. Ag Outlook Forum Tackles Growing Population, Trade Issues
- Democrats Deliver Counteroffer in USMCA Talks With White House
- Senate Clears Bill to Keep Government Open, Trade Aid Flowing
- GMA to Relaunch as Consumer Brands Association in 2020