Fact Sheet:  U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Benefits U.S. Agriculture (July 2007)
— More on the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement

United States and the Republic of Korea Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement (07/02/07)
— More on the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement

Statement by Agricultural Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding the Importance of Trade Promotion Authority to Agriculture (06/29/07)

United States and Panama Sign Trade Promotion Agreement (06/28/07)
— More on the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement

Johanns Furthers Agricultural Cooperation with Kazakhstan
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today met with Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Minister Akhmetzhan Yesimov and agreed on specific areas of cooperation under the memorandum of understanding signed last September. (06/27/07)

Korea Lifts Suspension of Six US Meat Plants (06/25/07)
— Korea Lifts Suspension of Six U.S. Beef Plants (USDA Radio News; 06/26/07 - real, mp3, wave)
— South Korean Beef Inspectors Arrive in U.S. on Saturday (USDA Radio News; 06/28/07 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S. Trade Representative Comments on Completion of Text for Bipartisan Trade Agreement
Ambassador Schwab is pleased with finalized text for congressional consideration of free trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Korea. (06/25/07)
— Schwab statement on amendments to U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (06/25/07)

USDA Secretary, U.S. Trade Representative Hold Press Conference at World Trade Organization Headquarters To Discuss Status of Doha Development Agenda
Both officials express disappointment, "but not prepared to give up." Secretary Johanns explains what led to the Pottsdam talks and how the G4 meeting collapsed. (Transcript; 06/22/07)
— Trade Deal Setback Will Not Deter U.S. from Pursuing Pact, Officials Say (U.S. Department of State, 06/21/07)
— G4 Trade Talks Break Down (USDA Radio News; 06/21/07 - real, mp3)
— Progress Had Been Made in Talks Before Collapse (USDA Radio News; 06/21/07 - real, mp3)
— Why G4 Talks Collapsed (USDA Radio News; 06/21/07 - real, mp3)
— Joint Statement from Ambassador Schwab and Secretary Johanns on the Doha Round (06/21/07)
— Transcript of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and USTR Ambassador Susan Schwab with Press on Scene Potsdam, Germany (06/21/07)
— Transcript of Tele-news Conference with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and USTR Ambassador Susan Schwab Regarding Doha Development Round Talks Potsdam, Germany (06/21/07)

Fact Sheet: U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement Benefits U.S. Agriculture (June 2007)
— More on the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement

U.S. Committed to Strengthened Trade Ties With Caribbean (U.S. Department of State, 06/19/07)
— More on the Conference on the Caribbean: A 20/20 Vision, Washington, DC, June 19–21

U.S. Food Scientist Named 2007 World Food Prize Recipient (U.S. Department of State, 06/18/07)
— More about the 2007 World Food Prize Laureate (.pdf; World Food Prize Web Site, June 2007)

USDA Reports Progress at U.S.-India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative Meeting (06/15/07)
— More on the U.S.-India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative

Three Asian Nations Urged To Open Markets Fully to U.S. Beef (U.S. Department of State; 06/21/07)
— U.S. Continues To Work With Nations On Accepting OIE Standard (USDA Radio News; 06/15/07 - real, mp3, wave)
— A Balancing Act To Restore Beef Trade With Japan (USDA Radio News; 06/14/07 - real, mp3, wave)
— USDA Secretary Comments on Progress in Expanding Beef Trade (06/13/07)
— Agriculture Secretary Responds to "Safe for Trade" Nod for U.S. Beef From World Animal Health Body (05/22/07)
— Johanns Does Not Rule Out WTO To Solve Beef Trade Cases (USDA Radio News; 05/22/07 - real, mp3)

Exports Continue on Record Pace (USDA Radio News; 06/12/07 - real, mp3)
— World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board; 06/11/07)
— Latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Data (USDA Economic Research Service; 06/08/07)
— FAS World Production, Market and Trade Reports

USDA Radio News Updates on Agricultural Biotechnology
— Biotechnology in Egypt (06/12/07; real, mp3)
— The Process To License a Biotech Crop (06/12/07; real, mp3)
— Biotech in Middle East (06/12/07; real, mp3)

USDA, DOE Announce $18 Million Solicitation for Biomass Research and Development
USDA Secretary Johanns says the grants will fund "essential research that not only will lead to the creation of new, sustainable energy sources, but also will create new uses and markets for agricultural products." (06/11/07)
— Renewable Energy Grant Money Announced (USDA Radio News; 06/11/07 - real, mp3)
— Senate Begins Energy Bill Debate (USDA Radio News; 06/12/07 - real, mp3)

G-8 Nations Address Energy Efficiency, Open Markets and Concluding Doha Agreement
President Bush concludes successful trip to Europe and the Group of Eight Countries' Summit. (White House; 06/11/07)
— G8 Leaders Pledge Assistance for Africa, Emerging Economies (U.S. Department of State; 06/08/07)

USDA Radio News Updates on Agricultural Trade
— Canada Challenges U.S. Farm Subsidies (06/08/07; real, mp3)
— Korea To Resume Inspection of Quarantined U.S. Beef (06/08/07; real, mp3)
— USDA Rechecking Third-Party Export Procedures (06/08/07; real, mp3)
— U.S. Response to Beef Shipment Snafu With South Korea (06/06/07; real, mp3)
— Animal ID Goal Is 48-Hour Traceback (06/04/07; real, mp3)
— Johanns: Working With South Korea on Beef Shipment Issue (06/04/07; real, mp3)
— Indonesia First To Accept U.S. Beef After OIE Designation (06/01/07; real, mp3)
— Other Nations May Soon Follow Lead of Indonesia (06/01/07; real, mp3)
— Economist Forecasts Continued Price Strength (06/01/07; real, mp3)
— Farm Trade Talks To Take Place in Brussels and London (05/31/07; real, mp3)
— Importance of G-4 Talks (05/31/07; real, mp3)
— Farm Prices Still Climbing (05/31/07; real, mp3)
— Organic Food Sales Still Rising (05/30/07; real, mp3)

Free Trade, Aid Help States Transform Themselves, Rice Says
Rice called for a new bipartisan consensus on free trade as a vital tool of U.S. foreign policy. (U.S. Department of State; 06/08/07)

Energy, Agriculture Departments Provide $8.3 Million in Funding for Biofuels Research
The two federal departments jointly selected 11 projects for awards totaling $8.3 million for biobased fuels research that will accelerate the development of alternative fuel resources. (06/07/07)
— Information about the research projects

United States, Brazil Seek a Central America Driven by Biofuels
Environmental benefits and reduced oil dependence are possible in four countries. (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/07)

USTR Schwab Welcomes Progress on Japan Reforms; Cites Need for Sustained Focus
New measures are highlighted in the Sixth Annual Report to the Leaders under the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative. (U.S. Trade Representative; 06/06/07)

U.S. Proposes Strengthened Subsidy Rules to World Trade Organization
Proposal that certain particularly trade-distorting subsidies be prohibited is presented within the framework of the Doha Development Agenda. (U.S. Trade Representative; 06/04/07)
— U.S. Proposes To Address “Zeroing” in World Trade Organization Negotiations (U.S. Trade Representative; 06/04/07)
— Wide Gap When It Comes to Farm Trade and WTO Members' Positions (USDA Radio News; 06/07/07 - real, mp3)
— Agriculture Is Always at Trade Talk Table (USDA Radio News; 06/07/07 - real, mp3)
— WTO Member Discussions Continue (USDA Radio News; 06/07/07 - real, mp3)
— U.S. Farmers and Position on Trade (USDA Radio News; 06/07/07 - real, mp3)

USDA Radio News Updates on the 2007 Farm Bill
— Johanns Expresses Concerns Over Other Farm Bill Proposals (USDA Radio News; 06/06/07 - real, mp3)
— Johanns Likes USDA’s Proposed Farm Bill (USDA Radio News; 06/06/07 - real, mp3)
— USDA's Proposed Farm Bill (USDA Radio News; 06/06/07 - real, mp3)

USDA Official Discusses How To Update, Revise Market Access Program
With the last major update occurring more than a decade ago, USDA is seeking public comment about updating and revising the Market Access Program (MAP). Written comments must be received on or before August 13. Learn more from USDA Radio News interviews with an FAS program policy official.
— Comment Requested on MAP Updates and Revisions (USDA Radio News; 06/05/07 - real, mp3)
— Ideas on How to Update, Revise Market Access Program (USDA Radio News; 06/05/07 - real, mp3)
— Press Release (05/23/07)
— View the Federal Register request for comments

Five Programs Recognized for Sustainable Development Work
Projects in Peru, Vietnam, Ecuador, Brazil, Sierra Leone earn awards. (U.S. Department of State; 05/31/07)
— Bush Outlines U.S. Development Agenda Before G8 Summit (U.S. Department of State; 05/31/07)
— Chronic Economic, Social Hardships Seen as Food Crises Increase (U.S. Department of State; 05/25/07)
 

FY 2007 U.S. Agricultural Export Forecast Remains at Record High, Lowered to $77.5 Billion (05/31/07)
— Read the full report (.pdf)
— FAS Analysis
— USDA Lowers Ag Export Forecast Slightly (USDA Radio News; 05/31/07 -  real, mp3)
— The New USDA Export Forecast (USDA Radio News; 05/31/07 -  real, mp3)

USDA Releases Legislative Language of 2007 Farm Bill Proposals' Trade Title
Secretary Johanns sends trade provisions to Congress, noting they will "expand opportunities and ensure fairness for United States agricultural products in international trade." (05/31/07)
— More on the 2007 Farm Bill