free trade

Earlier this month, the European Union reached an agreement with Brazil, Argentina, and the three other nations that make up the Mercosur trade alliance.  Even as France says it will push the controversial trade deal off course, the agreement ends 25 years’ worth of negotiations.  If appro...

Representatives from 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will travel to Casablanca, Morocco, on December 2nd-5th.   “This mission offers a crucial opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to enter into Morocco’s dynamic market and leverage its strategic position for wider American access,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who wi

The most recent talks with Japanese officials that began nearly 20 years ago about getting U.S. fresh potatoes access in Japan ended just as they have every other year, in frustration.  National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said nothing has changed.   “...

Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission said he started this harvest season with a lot of optimism, but now he’s a bit more cautious.  Voigt said it’s not clear what impact, if any, the prolonged heat of July and August had on this year’s late season varieties, so there is some reason for concern.  But, despite those issues...

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo recently hosted counterparts from the 13 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework partner countries.  Those partners represent over 40% of the world’s economy.  At the first ...

The Biden Administration and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai have come under fire from lawmakers of both parties in Congress for not pursuing free trade agreements. Washington’s Maria Cantwell, member of the Senate Finance Committee, told Ambassador Tai that farmers in the Evergreen state want free trade deals. “ ...

With Brexit, the United Kingdom’s official with drawl from the European Union, looming around the corner, many questions remain regarding trade with the British people.  In an effort to make sure Washington Ag is an option for trade across the pond, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison recently traveled to London with a small delegation of Ag officials to explore new

With Brexit, the United Kingdom’s official with drawl from the European Union, looming around the corner, many questions remain regarding trade with the British people.  In an effort to make sure Washington Ag is an option for trade across the pond, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison recently traveled to London with a small delegation of Ag officials to explore new