(Dave Bedard photo)

Struggling U.S. farm sector faces new threat as TPP dies

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to back out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, a US$62 billion market for U.S. farmers, provides a fresh threat to a slumping agricultural economy that has grown increasingly dependent on exports. Agricultural groups expressed disappointment over the move and urged the new administration to […] Read more

(PortMetroVancouver.com)

Canada says TPP trade deal dead without U.S.

Calgary | Reuters — The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal cannot proceed without the United States, Canada said on Tuesday, even as Australia and New Zealand pledged to salvage it. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the 12-nation TPP on Monday, following through on an election promise days after his inauguration. “This agreement was so […] Read more


(PortMetroVancouver.com)

Australia, New Zealand pledge to salvage TPP

Reuters — Australia hopes to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by encouraging China and other Asian nations into the agreement in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull his country out of the pact, its trade minister said on Tuesday. New Zealand’s trade minister said ministers from the remaining TPP countries would […] Read more

donald trump and beef cuts

Trump threatens NAFTA and more

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay, from the December 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The integration of North America’s cattle/beef sector is one of the outstanding success stories of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which took effect at the start of 1994. The sectors in all three countries have thrived under NAFTA, with all classes of cattle entering the U.S. and beef flowing in all directions. Trade […] Read more


CCA Report: Trade front and centre

CCA Report: Trade front and centre

From the December 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has long understood the important role of trade and market access in securing long-term competitiveness for the beef industry. We have expended much time and money over many years to ensure trade pacts produce meaningful results for beef producers and enable trade to flow unimpeded. As important as securing the […] Read more

Comment: Don’t bet on perceptions

Perception or reality, it’s hard to figure out which we are dealing with as we prepare to exist with a U.S. headed by Donald J. Trump. He’s bound to influence whatever plans you are making for 2017 and the next four years. But at this point it’s pretty hard to assess what he will do […] Read more



A frustrating election campaign

I’m writing this 60 days out from the 2016 U.S. elections. Given that this election has followed no established rules or expectations up to this point, that may not be much of a disadvantage. I’ve said ever since the disaster in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, that I really didn’t think Hillary Clinton would be […] Read more


Cattle industry concerns shared by many in the U.S.

Cattle industry concerns shared by many in the U.S.

Politics and trade are high on the radar

Beyond the markets and the weather, American cattlemen are riveted on the presidential election more than ever before. Why? You are familiar with Hollywood movie sequels. Well, this is “The Most Important Election in Your Lifetime: Part 3.” How much can any governmental system take? The present state of the economy, the breakdown in the […] Read more

(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

TPP study sees net ‘neutral’ effect on dairy sector

An economic impact study on Canada’s participation in a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal finds losses in Canada’s dairy sector would be “offset” by gains for dairy processors from cheaper dairy imports. The study, prepared for the federal government by its Office of the Chief Economist and released Friday, notes Canada has offered expanded access […] Read more