Closeup of the flags of the North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA members on textile texture. NAFTA is the world's largest trade bloc and the member countries are Canada, United States and Mexico. 3D rendering with detailed textured grunge effect on closeup.

NAFTA notes and a warning

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

[UPDATED: Jan. 23, 2018 with ‘COMMENT’ at bottom] January 2018. The global economy is improving. The U.S. economy, drawing on Trump optimism, anticipated tax reform and more competitive American businesses seeing some profits, which should benefit Canadian businesses. U.S. beef demand is holding up decently in the face of increased supply. The 800-pound gorilla in […] Read more

(Ville.montreal.qc.ca)

Montreal round of NAFTA talks extended to Jan. 29

Mexico City | Reuters — The upcoming round of talks in Montreal to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be extended by one day and will now conclude Jan. 29, Canadian and Mexican sources told Reuters on Thursday. Trade negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico were originally scheduled to meet from […] Read more


Dennis Laycraft. (John Greig photo)

TPP seen critical for beef sales growth in Japan

Canadian beef producers could be out millions of dollars in new exports if Canada is shut out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Why is it important? Beef exports, especially from Ontario, have been growing significantly to Japan and elsewhere in Asia. Allowing other competitors such as Mexico and New Zealand better access to that market, […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: Hogs turn up on short-covering, bargain buying

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs finished higher on Friday after short covering and bargain buying pared some of the market’s recent losses tied to fears about NAFTA negotiations, said traders. On Wednesday, Mexico said it would withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement, following Canadian government worries that the U.S. […] Read more








A giant Mexican flag at Cozumel’s Puerta Maya. (CIA.gov)

Mexico will leave NAFTA talks if Trump triggers process to withdraw

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico will leave the NAFTA negotiating table if U.S. President Donald Trump decides to trigger a six-month process to withdraw from the trade pact, three Mexican sources with knowledge of the talks told Reuters on Wednesday. Reuters reported earlier in the day that Canada was increasingly convinced that Trump would […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: NAFTA worries drag CME hogs from one-year high

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Wednesday slid from a one-year top earlier in the session, rattled by fund selling and Canadian government concerns over NAFTA talks with the U.S., said traders. Canada is increasingly convinced that President Donald Trump will soon announce the U.S. intends to pull out of the […] Read more