Trade Deal Rumor Mill Pt 2
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. We talked yesterday about moves made in Mexico that show progress on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, that would replace the old NAFTA.
While that's great news, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says there are other trade agreements that would help U.S. ag producers too, like China ...
NEWHOUSE ... "You know, over the past several years China has become a very important market for producers in Washington state. I just had a group of forage producers in my office yesterday, as a matter of fact, and the exports to China because of the lack of an agreement between the two countries, their exports have fallen off dramatically and that is the case for many different products that are grown in the state of Washington."
And, Newhouse says we could be getting close ...
NEWHOUSE ... "Great news that I've heard recently as well is that talks are coming to a close, that they're getting very close to an agreement. One should be announced here in the next week or so. The latest report I've heard and that's really positive news."
But, China's not the only rumor floating ...
NEWHOUSE ... "That, coupled with the Secretary of Agriculture just announcing that announcing that an agreement with the country of Japan is very close as well. I'm looking forward to some much better outlooks for our marketing year as we come up into the 2019 growing season."
Newhouse says he's pushing for movement on the USMCA, and deals with China and Japan as soon as possible.
