(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

U.S. makes lower trade deficit priority in NAFTA talks

Reading Time: 3 minutes Washington | Reuters — The United States on Monday launched the first salvo in the renegotiation of the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), saying its top priority for the talks was shrinking the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico. In a much-anticipated document sent to lawmakers, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. Trade Representative says no deadline for NAFTA deal

Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday there was no deadline for completing NAFTA trade talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico even as lawmakers warned that U.S. business would be hurt by prolonged negotiations. “There is no deadline. My hope is that we can get it done by […] Read more


(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Trump administration triggers launch of NAFTA renegotiations

Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration on Thursday formally launched its effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico to try to win better terms for U.S. workers and manufacturers. With a letter to U.S. lawmakers, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he triggered a 90-day consultation period with […] Read more

(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Canada taps veteran negotiator to drive talks on NAFTA

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada’s senior negotiator at talks to renew NAFTA will be the official who worked for years to push through a major free trade deal with Europe, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Steve Verheul faces another challenge as he deals with the U.S., which is threatening to walk […] Read more


Former deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, shown here in 2007, is President Donald Trump’s pick for the USTR job. (Dole Institute of Politics via YouTube)

Trump’s trade nominee pledges tough enforcement

Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s choice for the top trade negotiator on Tuesday pledged an “America First” strategy to aggressively enforce U.S. laws and trade deals to stop unfair imports and push China to scrap excess factory capacity. Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative nominee, told senators at his confirmation hearing that […] Read more

(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Soy hits six-week low on South American prospects

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell to a six-week low on Tuesday on improving South American crop prospects and uncertainty about export demand from China, analysts said. Corn rose on technical buying and expectations that commodity index funds will buy grain next week as they rebalance portfolios. Wheat closed lower, retreating from early […] Read more