Trade

Overview: NGFA is focused on expanding markets.

The NGFA supports a proactive U.S. trade agenda focused on expanding market access and fostering the use of science-based health and safety rules to create additional market opportunities for U.S. grains, oilseeds and value-added exports. 

China: NGFA seeks to restore competitive open market agricultural trade and a level playing field with China. The Phase One trade accord with China represents a significant step in resolving disruptions and long-standing impediments involving trade between the world’s two largest economies. 

Read more details about important aspects of the agreement written by NGFA Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Economist Max Fisher:

• China Phase One trade deal includes ag purchases, feed, biotech provisions

• In Focus: China’s purchase commitments under “Phase One” trade deal
• In Focus: China’s tariff rate quota commitments under “Phase One” deal
• In Focus: China’s SPS commitments under “Phase One” trade deal
• In Focus: China’s tariff exclusion process
• In Focus: China’s agricultural biotechnology approval process 

U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): With more than $40 billion in U.S. agricultural exports going to Mexico and Canada in 2020, the North American market continues to be a bonanza for American agriculture. The USMCA includes several significant advancements in facilitating the trade of grains, oilseeds and their derived products in the North American marketplace. WATCH: American Agricultural Trade Needs USMCA

Asia-Pacific Region: The Asia Pacific region remains the world’s largest, rapidly growing market for food and agriculture products. NGFA is committed to advancing U.S. interests in this vital region so that U.S. agriculture does not fall behind competitors in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Europe: The NGFA is advising the U.S. Trade Representative on elements to include in a potential trade agreement with the United Kingdom, including incorporating the more science- and risk-based approaches contained in USMCA and the U.S.-China Phase One agreement.

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): While the executive branch negotiates trade agreements, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) paves the way for the enactment of these agreements by allowing for expedited congressional consideration and an up-or-down vote without amendments. Unfortunately, TPA lapsed on July 1, 2021 and the NGFA is supportive of efforts to extend TPA and to increase the likelihood of success in entering into new trade agreements. 

Recent Trade Statements: 

• Ag Coalition Letter supporting nomination of a chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (May 14, 2021)

• Ag Coalition Letter to Secretary Vilsack and USTR Tai on Trade Concerns with Mexico (March 24, 2021)

• Joint Letter Supporting Nomination of Katherine Tai as USTR (Feb. 8, 2021)

• NGFA commends ratification of USMCA agreement (Jan. 16, 2020)

• NGFA issues statement on signing of Phase One trade accord with China (Jan. 15, 2020)

Crop Technology  

The NGFA supports agricultural biotechnology and other scientific advancements that promote safe and abundant food and feed supply. However, the NGFA believes biotech-enhanced traits should be commercialized only after achieving broad, deep consumer acceptance, as well as authorizations from U.S. export markets, to enable the industry to meet customer preferences and maintain access to global markets. The NGFA advocates prudent policies to guard against the presence of unauthorized or restricted-use biotech-enhanced traits in the general commodity stream. It also advocates a responsible and commercially achievable tolerance for low-level presence in commodity shipments of biotech-enhanced traits that have been approved by the governmental authority in the exporting country.

Recent Crop Technology Statements: 

• Exemptions of Certain Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) Derived from Newer Technologies (Dec. 8, 2020)

• BASF Corporation; Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status for Plant-Parasitic Nematode-Protected and Herbicide Resistant Soybean (July 27, 2020)

• Agrivida, Inc.; Availability of a Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status for Maize Genetically Engineered for the Production of Phytase Enzyme (June 15, 2020)

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News

Recent articles, press releases and issue advisories on trade.