Dave Salmonsen

Following Tuesday’s announcement of a deal reached between House Democrats and the White House, the American Farm Bureau Federation is asking Congress to quickly pass USCMA.   “Talks between those two sides have been going on for several months," said AFBF senior congressional relations director Dave Salmonsen.  "But, they cam...

Congressional ratification of USMCA in 2019 is down to the wire with just two, or perhaps three-weeks left in this session.  Will it get done before 2020, which is an election year?  And how does a possible Senate impeachment trial mix in to that equation?   “...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week voiced optimism for bringing up USMCA for House action, soon.  But there’s still no sign of a negotiating breakthrough with the White House, and as the American Farm Bureau Federation points out, the clock is ticking.  AFBF tra...

With just 20 legislative days left in 2019, the future of USMCA seems unclear.  Add on top of that, conflicting reports from D.C.  House Democrats want more, including a union pension rescue bill as part of USMCA.  Republicans and President Trump say Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats have no timeline, and are stalling to deny Trump a ‘win’ as we move into the 2020 Presidential election cycle.   Ag

Congress is back in session, but because of impeachment efforts, doubts are starting to creep in that several pieces of key legislation, including a USMCA vote, will likely be delayed.  Only seven weeks remain in 2019 where both Chambers are in D.C., ...

Congress is back in session, but because of impeachment efforts, doubts are starting to creep in that several pieces of key legislation, including a USMCA vote, will likely be delayed.  Only seven weeks remain in 2019 where both Chambers are in D.C., ...

The U.S. and China sat around the trade table this week in D.C., bring a renewed hope of progress in this ongoing trade war.  The American Farm Bureau Federation said farmers and ranchers need a resolution that removes tariffs on American Ag products.  Da...

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, this week’s announcement of a trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan means more market access for American farmers and ranchers.  While the agreement itself is not yet finished enough to be signed, the U.S. and Jap...

The American Farm Bureau Federation is hopeful the trade war with China is reaching a turning point, after months of devastating tariffs and retaliation between the two nations.  After China’s commerce ministry said Thursday it was opposed to escalating trade tensions, and that it wishes to resolve its long-running trade dispute with the U.S. with a ...

An American Farm Bureau Federation official says President Trump's decision to delay much of his latest tariff threat against China is a hopeful sign constructive trade talks can re-start.  AFBF trade adviser Dave Salmonsen hopes the delay to December 15th in Trump's 10% duty on some Chinese electronics, footwear and clothing, will do more than just avert higher holiday shopping costs.  ... Read M