A top Iowa Farm Bureau official says he's thankful Mexico didn't start a food fight during the renegotiation of NAFTA. David Miller, the IFB's director of research, notes - - unlike other countries -- Mexican trade officials did not target agricultural products when retaliating to U.S. steel and … [Read more...]
Soybean Association president optimistic about new negotiations with China
The Iowan who leads the American Soybean Association is cautiously optimistic about word of negotiations ramping-up between the U.S. and China. John Heisdorffer, of Keota, says a resolution to the trade war would brighten the holidays for America's farmers. "It's a great Christmas present for … [Read more...]
Reynolds and Naig say USMCA trade deal a positive step
Republican office-holders in Iowa are celebrating this weekend's break-through on a deal that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. President Trump calls it the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. Governor Kim Reynolds says she's thrilled the stalemate has been broken. "Canada and … [Read more...]
Soybean Association president says prospects of short term trade resolution fading
This week, the U.S. imposed 10% tariffs on another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, which was met with retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of American goods. Kirk Leeds, president and CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, says hopes for a short-term resolution to the trade war with China … [Read more...]
U.S. Ag Secretary says momentum building for trade deals with Canada, Japan
U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is in Iowa, holding events with Republican office-holders and assuring the state's farm community that international trade disputes "will work out fine." "I'm really proud of our agricultural community," Perdue said late this afternoon. "They've stood with the … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley encouraged with action on Mexico trade deal
As Iowa farmers face as much as two-billion dollars in losses due to international trade tariffs, the Trump administration is announcing a tentative trade agreement with Mexico. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says President Trump has his mind set on eliminating the North American Free Trade … [Read more...]
Ambassador Branstad says Chinese trade discussions continue
Farmers in Iowa and across the Midwest want quick resolution to the looming trade war due to the negative impact it’s starting to have on their bottom lines. Speaking in Des Moines over the weekend, the U.S. Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, says he isn’t sure how long the impasse with China … [Read more...]
Congressman King is less optimistic about trade deals
Iowa Congressman Steve King says he hopes the trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries can be resolved sooner rather than later -- but he is not optimistic. King says he has said he'd like to see the trade issues solved before the soybeans turn ready for harvest, but he says in talking … [Read more...]
Soybean association members: trade trip to Europe has been positive
A delegation of Iowa Soybean Association members spoke with reporters from Europe Wednesday, where they are on a trade mission to sell more of their product. The trip includes stops in Ireland (Dublin and Belfast), Denmark, Hungary and Austria. ISA president Bill Shirley of Noway, says talks have … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst says President Trump is listening to concerns about trade negotiations
Senator Joni Ernst and the rest of the Iowa Congressional Delegation recently sent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing concern about the impact of trade negotiations on farmers in the state. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says process for handling trade issues isn't exactly the way she … [Read more...]