USDA & USTR Say China Has Met 71% of 2020 Phase One Ag Purchase Target

On October 23rd, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an Interim Report on the Economic and Trade Agreement between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. The report states, “Using the best methodology, we have calculated that China has purchased approximately 71 percent of its target for 2020. They have purchased $23.6 billion in agricultural products so far this year. This is substantially more than the base year of 2017, and should end up being our best year ever in sales to China. It is still to be seen whether they meet their target but particularly given the COVID-19 effects on the global economy they are making substantial progress. It is worth noting that the Phase One Agreement did not go into effect until February 14, 2020, and March is the first full month of its effect. That means that we have seen seven months of agreement sales.” See full report below.

Report here.

More Advocacy Issues

Agricultural trade groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, have urged President Biden and President-elect Trump to address labor disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports. In letters sent yesterday, the group highlighted the urgency of a new agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance before the contract expires on […]

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ACSA Update: The Week Ahead

December 16th, 2024

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of December 16. Document here.

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Port Strike Updates

December 13th, 2024

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025. Late yesterday, President-elect Trump posted a statement, voicing his support for the ILA’s position on automation. Post here. The ILA posted the statement on its Facebook page. Statement here. The […]

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The American Cotton Shippers Association, along with over 260 local, state, and federal trade associations, signed onto a letter urging the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to resume contract negotiations. Letter here.

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Last week, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) released updated guidance on isotopic testing, as the agency seeks to find more efficient mechanisms for determining the origin of cotton within U.S. textile imports. The document states “… CBP is enhancing its isotopic testing capabilities at three of its laboratories. As a result of these efforts, CBP […]

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Briefing on Hurricane Helene

October 29th, 2024

On October 28, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a briefing on the coordinated inter-agency response to the agricultural impact of Hurricane Helene. See below for takeaways, discussion points, and other details. More here.

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