USDA

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today will announce the establishment of an under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs position at the Agriculture Department, according to a USDA statement.

The goal is to “reassert the importance of the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program.”

Legislation aimed at diversifying Mexican corn purchases away from the U.S. is intended to send a message that Mexico is not a “punching bag” for U.S. politicians critical of the two countries' trade relationship, according to the Mexican senator who sponsored the measure and is also a candidate in the 2018 presidential race.

Two major dairy groups set up the meetings with Perdue, Vaughn, Ryan and other lawmakers from key committees.

Following Argentinian President Mauricio Macri’s visit to the U.S. last week, domestic citrus producers will meet with members of congress and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative -- among other agencies -- early this week to advocate for a more transparent inspection process in an ongoing dispute over Argentine lemon imports, which President Trump recently said he would consider.

“Our real potential for economic growth is either talking you all into eating more or finding new markets for our products overseas.”

The Iowa senator said lawmakers “will have to make sure the people working under him know how important this is for us.”

Ten House members have urged two top agriculture appropriators to insert language in the fiscal year 2018 Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would prevent money from being spent on the implementation of a rule that would allow U.S. imports of poultry slaughtered in China.

“Japan needs to be first. We will lose market share in Japan if we do not move quickly on this,” said an executive with the NPPC.