Flags are pictured during the fifth round of NAFTA talks involving the United States, Mexico and Canada, in Mexico City, Mexico, November 19, 2017.

NAFTA anxiety continues to build

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

The intent of everyone going into the renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was to get it over quickly, at least quickly by international trade negotiation standards. Canada didn’t think there was a lot to fix, Mexico had presidential elections set for next July and the U.S. general opinion, except for President […] Read more

cattleman on a horse

CCA Report: Tax and NAFTA

From the November 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

It has been a busy and productive month for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). Tax policy has been one of the top domestic policy issues for the CCA since the Government of Canada’s mid-summer announcement. We welcomed the government’s revisions to the tax change proposal announced in October, as their original plan had the potential […] Read more


Comment: Preparing for the death of NAFTA

After the rumble in Virginia last month it is tempting to rail on about the possible loss of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But to be honest I’m NAFTAed out. President Trump will do what he wants. If he wants to shut down NAFTA the U.S. auto and ag industries will suffer, as […] Read more

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.

After two rounds

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

Two rounds of NAFTA renegotiation have been held and the three participants have been sizing each other up. While the three nations laid out their objectives in the first round, the second round was more about consolidating the things all three can agree on and cutting out the things that will be more difficult or […] Read more


(CIA.gov)

Britain reported looking to NAFTA if Brexit deal fails

London | Reuters — Britain could join a formal trade alliance with the United States, Canada and Mexico if the European Union refuses to clinch a post-Brexit trade deal, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Tuesday. The newspaper said British ministers were looking at joining the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as part of […] Read more



A close up on a nutrition facts label

U.S. group views Healthy Eating Strategy labels as trade barrier

Policy: News Roundup from the September 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

While all of agriculture is focused on retaining market access to the U.S. and Mexico embedded in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) based in Washington, D.C., is just as concerned about proposed changes to Canada’s food labels. In an August 15 letter to United States Trade Representative Robert […] Read more

U.S. NAFTA objectives begin to focus the trade picture

U.S. NAFTA objectives begin to focus the trade picture

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

Ever since President Donald Trump’s election, cattlemen on both sides of the border have worried about the NAFTA agreement that has governed trade among the U.S., Canada and Mexico since 1994. Trump has called NAFTA the worst agreement the U.S. ever signed. In early conversations, Trump told Prime Minister Trudeau that very little of the […] Read more



In June, the U.S. gained access for several of its beef products. The Canadian government needs to engage China on behalf of Canadian beef producers to gain similar access.

CCA Report: Keeping tabs on trade

From the August 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Advocating for resources for the wildfires in British Columbia, preparing for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), achieving equivalent trade access with the U.S. in China are among the priority issues keeping the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) busy this summer. The CCA is making officials aware of the need to address […] Read more