Columbia Snake River System Has a Crucial Role in Moving Grain to Port
Early in 2019, I attended a presentation given by the Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA), Kristin Meira. In the audience were farmers eager to hear how U.S. legislators shared their interests regarding the ongoing navigability of the Columbia Snake River System. Open waterways are a crucial and efficient source for U.S. […]
The U.S. Wheat Industry’s Partnership with Japan Adds Perspective to Current Trade Negotiations
There is renewed hope this week that the United States and Japan are making good progress toward a trade agreement that we hope will ensure U.S. wheat can continue competing with Canadian and Australian wheat based on quality, variety and value. Currently, under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Japan’s effective tariffs on Canadian […]
U.S. Wheat Farmer Testifies on Importance of Grain Inspection System for U.S. Export Markets
Original news release by the National Association of Wheat Growers published here. The Senate Committee on Agriculture held a hearing July 31, 2019, looking at perspectives around reauthorizing the Grain Standards Act. Brian Linin, a wheat farmer from Goodland, Kan., testified on behalf of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) on the importance of […]
Trade Promotion Assistance Will Support USW Activities in New and Established Markets
Under the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. wheat farmers recently welcomed additional support for the effort to build overseas demand for the high-quality wheat they produce. FAS awarded $8.2 million to U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) in cost-share assistance in May 2019 and awarded an additional $2.6 million […]
U.S Wheat Industry Supports International Food Assistance Programs
By Elizabeth Westendorf, USW Assistant Director of Policy “We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry.” – President Jimmy Carter Conflict and population displacement are both on the rise around the world. From war in Yemen to natural disasters in Southern and Eastern Africa, when these events happen, the […]
Some Positive News on Wheat Trade with Japan, Mexico and China
Headlines on the trade front this week have direct bearing on the U.S. wheat industry’s desire to reaffirm our trade relationship with long-standing customers in Japan and Mexico, and to renew our relationship with customers in China. For now, at least, the news is positive. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Robert Lighthizer this week told […]
A Trade Policy Win for the U.S.-China Wheat Chain
By Ben Conner, USW Vice President of Policy It has been my pleasure these past four years to contribute content to this newsletter but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, as this will be my last Wheat Letter article as a U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) colleague. I am grateful especially to the […]
U.S. Wheat Farmers Have Not Abandoned Customer Service in China
It is certainly true that the trade relations between the United States and China are in a difficult place. With the latest round of tariff increases announced and imposed, it is certainly possible to imagine that this conflict will not end soon. But we must all remember that negotiations are happening, and reworking the trading […]
The Long-Term Risks of “National Security” Tariffs Have Appeared
By Ben Conner, USW Vice President of Policy In June 2017, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) suggested that pursuing a strategy of import protection under the guise of national security would set a dangerous precedent. Then USW President Alan Tracy said “… if the United States undermines WTO national security exemptions, it would be handing a […]
Old Trading Friends Japan and USA are Talking Again
By Ben Conner, USW Vice President of Policy The United States and Japan kicked off negotiations this week on a potential trade agreement between these two Pacific Rim economic giants. While the path forward for these negotiations is not yet clear, the pace is likely to speed up with a schedule of additional meetings between […]
