Paul Drazek

The TPP, minus the U.S., will take effect by the end of this year, after Australia last week became the sixth of the 11 remaining nations to ratify the trade deal.  The inevitable is happening after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from TPP soon after taking office.  Na...

A NAFTA "handshake" deal with Mexico expected late this week still needs Canada to rejoin talks but would be a ‘huge' watershed for American agriculture, if a final deal comes together.  Former USDA trade chief Paul Drazek said a preliminary NAFTA deal with Mexico makes it much less likely, President Trump will pull out of the deal.   “...

President Trump continues to battle China with tariffs, and U.S. farm interests seem powerless to stop him.  Farm lawmakers and lobbyists pushed President Trump and his advisers against a tariff war for weeks but have little to show for it, except maybe a possible USDA bailout package by Labor Day.  Tr...

Reaction continues to pour in after President Trump announced the implementation of tariffs against key allies, including Mexico, Canada and the EU.  Mexico said it will levy import taxes on U.S apples, cranberries, grapes, pork bellies, some cheeses, and some types of steel.  Th...