Washington DC - March 2 - A bipartisan group of nineteen Senators sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urging the Administration to press China to live up to its commitments and allow the importation of American pork.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - March 1 - The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent a letter this week directly to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to immediately challenge the legality of the tariffs levied by Mexico on U.S. exports.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - February 8 - The United States and Canada have reached a tentative agreement on government procurement which includes permanent and reciprocal commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) with respect to provincial, territorial and state procurement.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - February 5 - Commerce Secretary Gary Locke unveiled details of President Obama’s National Export Initiative at the National Press Club. During last week’s State of the Union speech, the president announced a goal of doubling exports over the next five years to support two million jobs in America.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - February 4 - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk commented on Japan’s release of the list of a limited number of U.S. autos models that qualify under its Eco-friendly Vehicle Purchase Program (Japan’s version of “cash-for-clunkers”).

To read his remarks, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 21 - Members of the Ways and Means committee joined in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, expressing frustration with Taiwan’s undoing of an October 2009 bilateral protocol regarding market access for U.S. beef and beef product exports to Taiwan.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 20 - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk commented on the changes announced to Japan’s Eco-friendly Vehicle Purchase Program (Japan’s version of “cash-for-clunkers”).

To read his remarks, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 15 - National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association submitted a joint letter to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk, urging a vigorous defense of the country of origin labeling (COOL) law at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 11 - The American Meat Institute (AMI) told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) violates the United States’ international trade obligations for many reasons and that the U.S. must honor these obligations.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 6 - The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement regarding the decision by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to bar import of some U.S. beef and beef products.

To read their full statement, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - January 6 - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association issued a statement applauding Senators Tim Johnson and Mike Enzi and twenty-four of their colleagues for sending a joint, bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk calling for their continued support for country of origin labeling (COOL).

To read their full statement, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - December 22 - U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) and U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk to uphold mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) as the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process moves forward.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - November 6 - The United States has requested North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) dispute settlement consultations with Mexico regarding Mexico’s failure to move its “dolphin safe” labeling dispute from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to the NAFTA, as requested by the United States and as required by Article 2005 of the NAFTA.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - November 3 - The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement regarding Taiwan’s announcement on the opening of it’s market to American beef.

To read their statement, CLICK HERE

Washington DC - October 30 - China agreed to reopen its market to U.S. pork and live swine, remove barriers for American firms to China’s growing clean energy market, and clamp down on Internet piracy at the 20th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.

To read the entire report, CLICK HERE