Washington | Reuters –– The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday delivered a blow to President Barack Obama’s signature goal of strengthening ties with Asia but could try again as soon as Tuesday to reverse defeat of a measure central to a Pacific Rim trade pact. In a dramatic vote, Obama’s own Democrats, as well […] Read more
Quest for fast-track trade bill defeated for now in U.S. House
U.S. House of Representatives votes to scrap COOL
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday evening voted to repeal meat labeling laws, which were widely backed by U.S. consumer groups, as Canada and Mexico threaten US$3 billion in trade sanctions. The House voted 300-131 to repeal country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules on beef, pork and poultry, after the World Trade […] Read more
Supply-managed sectors bolster defenses against TPP
Reuters — Canadian farmers are stepping up their campaign against a nearly complete Pacific trade pact they fear will destroy protections for local dairy, egg and chicken producers and endanger jobs. Farmers in Quebec, which produces 40 per cent of Canada’s dairy products, ran full-page newspaper advertisements on Tuesday warning Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations threaten […] Read more
Japan, U.S. remain apart in trade talks, dealing blow for TPP
Washington | Reuters — Japan and the U.S. failed to make progress in bilateral talks, both sides said on Wednesday, dealing a blow for hopes of sealing an ambitious multilateral trade deal this year. “Japan made a flexible proposal, but we weren’t able to make further progress,” Trade Minister Akira Amari told reporters on Wednesday […] Read more
Some TPP partners said aiming for deal in coming months
Reuters — Some Pacific trading partners are aiming for a deal on a regional free trade zone as early as the next few months, sources close to the negotiations said, although others caution a pact is still a long way off and see the U.S. elections as a wild card. Trade ministers from the 12 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
