Trade

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U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is meeting with high-level trade officials and reconvening the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum to discuss India’s steep tariffs and other trade barriers, many of which are preventing or dampening U.S. exports of tree nuts, apples and dairy to the second-most populous nation in the world.

House Democrats who were poised to pass the $1.7 trillion Build Back Better bill last night decided to recess until this morning, after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy took the floor to speak at about 8:38 p.m. and kept talking until past 1 a.m.

Congress is facing a Dec. 3 deadline to avert another government shutdown. That’s when the continuing resolution that’s currently funding the government runs out. But Republicans say they won’t agree to a fiscal 2022 spending deal any time soon.

U.S. farm groups and some lawmakers used a hearing held by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture to stress the need for a more aggressive U.S. trade policy that prioritizes the negotiation of new free trade agreements in order to boost U.S. agricultural exports.

Brazil has given the green light for imports of flour made from genetically modified wheat that’s being grown and harvested in Argentina, creating a pathway for potential acceptance around the globe.

Vietnam is following through on promises to slash its most-favored nation tariffs on corn, wheat and pork, offering new opportunities for U.S. ag exporters, USDA says.

President Biden today will sign into law the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, and he’s promising to make sure the money will be spent properly.

Farmers, ranchers and ag exporters hoping President Joe Biden will engage Chinese President Xi Jinping Monday evening on trade tariffs or supply chain problems will likely be disappointed. Neither topic is on Biden’s agenda for the virtual meeting, according to a senior White House official who previewed expectations for the conversation to reporters.

Democratic leaders are pushing for House passage of President Joe Biden’s package of social and climate spending priorities this week, while the Senate is set to debate an Agriculture Department nominee who will be key to carrying out the administration's climate policy.

President Joe Biden will sit down for a virtual meeting Monday evening with Chinese President Xi Jinping, says White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.