We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy
Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Thursday, February 27, 2025
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai faced another panel of lawmakers frustrated by the Biden administration's trade policies, which do not involve any efforts to negotiate long-term free-trade agreements.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s examination of which foods make up a healthy diet has the potato industry worried that the legendary spud will lose its status as a vegetable and thus a favored position in federal nutrition programs.
The Biden administration has made it clear it won't use the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity to negotiate lower tariffs on American ag exports, but U.S. officials insist there are plenty of non-tariff trade barriers to be resolved, and U.S. farm groups’ hopes are high as talks continue this week in San Francisco during a seventh round of negotiations.
Japanese consumers are seeking high-quality agricultural products, and more than 40 U.S. agricultural businesses and 11 state departments of agriculture had the opportunity to build key relationships during a USDA agricultural trade mission this week.
U.S. potato shipments are for the first time reaching Mexican importers beyond the 26-kilometer limit established by Mexico years ago, marking the start of increased trade that will boost U.S. exports by tens of millions of dollars, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Mexico would allow the import of all U.S. table and chipping potatoes by no later than May 15 under a plan announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Grocery prices rose again in December, but some easing in beef and pork prices helped keep the increase below what it had been in the previous three months, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.
Mexico appears to be moving quickly to prepare for an influx of U.S. potatoes and U.S. farmers are already looking forward to increased sales across the southern border, says National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles.