Reading Time: 3 minutes It seemed like a win-win — until a new milk category caught the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump and unexpectedly became one of the key sticking points in NAFTA negotiations. It’s called Class 7, which is milk protein isolates (dried milk powders high in protein). It was introduced in 2016 in response to diafiltered […] Read more
The milk in the middle of the high-stakes NAFTA drama
A new milk category thrust dairy farmers into a political firestorm — so what is Class 7 all about?
U.S.-Canada trade talks grind on, ‘final’ issues unresolved
Washington | Reuters — U.S. and Canadian negotiators pushed ahead in grinding talks to rescue the North American Free Trade Agreement on Thursday, but a few stubborn issues stood in the way of a deal, including dairy, protection for media companies, and how to solve future trade disputes. A U.S. source familiar with the discussions […] Read more
Progress seen in NAFTA talks
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. and Canada have made progress in talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, and officials from the two sides will work together into the night to flesh out areas for further discussion, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday. Freeland sounded upbeat as she emerged from […] Read more
U.S. to move ahead with Mexico pact, keep talking to Canada
Washington/Toronto | Reuters — Contentious U.S.-Canada trade talks ended on Friday with no deal to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement after the mood soured, and President Donald Trump notified Congress of his intent to sign a bilateral trade pact with Mexico. U.S. and Canadian trade officials set plans to resume their talks on […] Read more
Fear, frustration on dairy farms as trade concessions sought
Winnipeg/Montreal | Reuters — Marie-Pier Vincent, a fourth-generation Quebec dairy farmer, worries it will be even harder to make ends meet if Canada allows more tariff-free imports of milk products from the U.S. under a reworked North American Free Trade Agreement. Vincent, 28, is already looking for a second job to pay back the money […] Read more
Trump, Trudeau upbeat about prospects for NAFTA deal by Friday
Washington | Reuters — The leaders of the U.S. and Canada expressed optimism on Wednesday that they could reach new NAFTA deal by a Friday deadline as negotiators prepared to talk through the night, although Canada warned that a number of tricky issues remained. Under pressure, Canada rejoined the talks to modernize the 24-year-old North […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs ease on weak cash markets, spreading
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures fell on Tuesday, pressured by weaker prices in cash hog markets and spreading as the market gave back a portion of the steep gains notched on Monday, traders and analysts said. Hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Monday jumped by their three-cent daily price limit […] Read more
Canada rejoins NAFTA talks, deal seen as possible this week
Washington | Reuters — Canada’s top trade negotiator joins her Mexican and U.S. counterparts in Washington on Tuesday in a bid to remain part of a revamped trilateral North American trade pact, as U.S. officials expressed optimism a deal could be reached this week. But Ottawa will be under pressure to accept new terms on […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs limit up on U.S.-Mexico deal, China swine fever
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures surged by their daily three-cent price limit on Monday, buoyed by hopes of increased U.S. pork exports following news of a trade deal with top importer Mexico, traders said. Hog futures were further supported by the outbreak of African swine fever in China, which has […] Read more
U.S., Mexico reach NAFTA deal, turning up pressure on Canada
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. and Mexico agreed on Monday to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), putting pressure on Canada to agree to new terms on auto trade and dispute settlement rules to remain part of the three-nation pact. Auto stocks soared and financial markets firmed on the expectation that Canada […] Read more
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