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What's New - May 2006

U.S., Vietnam Sign Historic Bilateral Market Access Agreement
The bilateral agreement, to be implemented fully when Vietnam joins the WTO, will create significant new opportunities for U.S. producers and exporters of industrial and agricultural goods as well as U.S. services providers.
(USTR; 05/31/06)
U.S. and Vietnam Sign Bilateral Market-Access Agreement (U.S. Department of State; 05/31/06)
Remarks of Deputy USTR Bhatia at the Signing Ceremony (05/31/06)
Vietnam's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO): Fact Sheet on Bilateral Market Access Agreement on Agricultural Goods (05/31/06)
U.S.–Vietnam Bilateral Agreement Sets New Standard (USDA Radio News; 05/30/06 - real, mp3)

Deputy USTRs Schwab, Bhatia Attend APEC Meeting This Week
At the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 1-2, U.S. officials hope to advance global trade negotiations and make "strong progress" in all areas, particularly agriculture, industrial goods, services, trade facilitation and development. Concluding WTO negotiations in 2006 is critical to the President's agenda to expand economic opportunities for American farmers, workers and businesses.
(USTR; 05/30/06)
U.S. Officials To Attend APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting June 1-2 (U.S. Department of State; 05/31/06)

USDA Issues 2005 Food Security Assessment
At the 1996 World Food Summit, 186 countries pledged to reduce world hunger by half by 2015. In this report, USDA has estimated and projected the number of hungry people globally, regionally, and in each of the 70 lower income countries studied. (05/31/06)

India, U.S. Agreed to an Action Plan To Increase Bilateral Economic Engagement
During the fourth meeting of the U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum in New Delhi, both sides developed an action plan to move forward to a higher level of bilateral economic engagement in preparation for the forthcoming visit of Minister Nath to the U.S.
(05/30/06)

USDA, USAID and California Polytechnic State University Work Together To Teach Food Safety in Afghanistan
The food safety workshops USDA is conducting will give the Afghan dried fruit and nut industry the knowledge it needs to meet other countries' import requirements so they can participate in foreign exchange. (05/30/06)

U.S. and Taiwan Discuss Enhancing and Deepening Trade Relations Under Trade And Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
The two sides discussed in depth a wide range of important bilateral trade issues including agriculture, pharmaceutical pricing and regulation, government procurement and telecommunications policy. (05/26/06)
Remarks by Ambassador Karan Bhatia Before the American Chamber of Commerce (05/26/06)
Transcript of Question and Answer Session by Ambassador Karan Bhatia (.pdf; 05/26/06)
Transcript of Remarks by Ambassador Karan Bhatia Following the TIFA Talks (.pdf; 05/26/06)

United States and Switzerland Sign "Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum" Agreement
Agreement opens door for U.S.–Swiss discussions on bilateral trade and related issues and ways to strengthen our economic relationship. U.S. exports of agricultural products to Switzerland in 2005 totaled $171 million, including meat, cotton, tree nuts, and wine and beer. (05/25/06)
Text of agreement (05/25/06)

FY 2006 Quarterly Export Forecasts for Ag, Fishery & Solid Wood Products
Changes in FY '06 Forecast since February…
AgExports raised $2.5 billion to record $67 billion
AgImports raised $1.5 billion to $65 billion
AgTrade Surplus raised $1 billion to $2 billion (05/24/06)
FAS/ERS Report: Record Agricultural Trade Levels Forecast for Fiscal 2006 (05/24/06)
USDA Radio Reports on Ag Trade Forecasts:
U.S. Ag Exports Forecast To Set Another Record (05/25/06 - real, mp3)
Reasons for Increase in U.S. Farm Exports (05/25/06 - real, mp3)
U.S. Agricultural Imports Continue To Rise (05/25/06 - real, mp3)

USDA Secretary Says American Agriculture Can't Afford to "Play It Safe" in Trade Relations
Johanns spoke to the World Bank's Bretton Woods Committee's annual meeting on agricultural trade and farm policy. (05/23/06)

U.S. Proposes Changes to Coffee Agreement To Help Small Farmers
The United States has proposed reforms to help small coffee farmers cope with unpredictable market conditions. Goals include better credit access, capacity building, and sustainability. (U.S. Department of State; 05/23/06)

More Information Now Available on U.S. Trade and Investment Mission to Kazakhstan
U.S. firms can respond by June 9 to USDA's invitation to the U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the Republic of Kazakhstan. (05/19/06)
Johanns Announces Trade and Investment Mission to Kazakhstan (05/12/06)

USDA Officials Visit Asian Countries To Negotiate for U.S. Beef Trade
U.S., Japan Fail To Reach Final Agreement on Reopening Beef Trade (U.S. Department of State; 05/22/06)
U.S., Japan Fail To Reach Final Agreement on Reopening Beef Trade (U.S. Department of State; 05/19/06)
USDA Acting Under Secretary Lambert Speaks to the Press After Tokyo Beef Talks (05/19/06)
USDA Audit Report for U.S. Beef (Export Verification Program for Japan; 05/19/06)
USDA Under Secretary Lambert Presents Opening Statement for Tokyo Beef Talks (05/17/06)
Negotiators See Progress on U.S.-China Beef Trade Protocol (U.S. Department of State; 05/16/06)
USDA Concludes First Round of Talks on Protocol for Resumption of U.S. Beef Sales to China (05/15/06)
United States, Vietnam Conclude In Principle Bilateral WTO Accession Agreement on Market Access (USTR; 05/14/06)

USDA Radio Reports on Asian Ag Trade Talks:
China Pears Going Head-To-Head With U.S. Varieties (05/30/06 - real, mp3)
China Expected To Resume U.S. Beef Trade (05/23/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Vietnam Bilateral Agreement Sets New Standards (05/19/06 - real, mp3)
U.S.Vietnam Agreement Will Set a New Standard (05/19/06 - real, mp3)
U.S. Farm Exports to Vietnam Should Soon Grow (05/19/06 - real, mp3)
One More Step Towards Reopening Japanese Beef Market (05/18/06 - real, mp3, wave)
A Free Trade Agreement With Korea Would Be a Very Good Thing (05/18/06 - real, mp3, wave)
China and U.S. Need More Agreement on Beef Trade (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
USDA Official Positive About China Resuming Beef Trade (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
China’s Growing Economy (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
The China Factor
(05/10/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Large Chinese Contingent At U.S. Food Export Showcase (05/08/06 - real, mp3, wave)
China Still Main Competitor To U.S. Pears Globally (05/05/06 - real, mp3, wave)
China Could Become Corn Importer This Season (05/04/06 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S. Agricultural Trade Update
USDA's Economic Research Service released the May 2006 report on the quantity and value of U.S. farm exports and imports, plus price trends, keeping readers abreast of how U.S. agricultural trade stacks up in a global market. (05/15/06)
USDA Radio Reports on Growth in Farm Exports:
U.S. Farm Export Numbers Continue To Climb: FAS Administrator Mike Yost shares a very positive forecast for U.S. agricultural exports. (05/17/06 - real, mp3, wave)
On Growth in Farm Exports: FAS Administrator Mike Yost talks about areas of growth for farm exports. (05/17/06 - real, mp3, wave)

USDA Radio Reports on Agricultural Trade:
Upgrading U.S. Bilaterials on Phytosanitary Issues: Under Secretary of Agriculture J.B. Penn talking about current renegotiation of bilateral trade agreements to comply with OIE standards. (05/19/06 - real, mp3)
The Importance of Trade to the U.S.: FAS Administrator Mike Yost provides an update. (05/18/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Support for USDA’s Market Access Program: FAS Administrator Mike Yost says USDA's Market Access Program helps small food processing companies find their niche on the world marketplace. (05/18/06 - real, mp3, wave)
On Exporting U.S. Organic Products: Find out how USDA's Market Access Program helps promote organic trade. (05/17/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Organic Growth: The organic products industry is growing very fast. At this year's Big Food Show in Chicago the organic show was very popular with buyers. (05/17/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Farmers Maintaining Trade Surplus: Farmers continue to hold on to a trade surplus with other countries. (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
Import Rules Changes for Produce Being Considered: The government is proposing changes to fruit and vegetable import rules that could make trade easier and inspections faster. (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
— Building an Overseas Market:
USDA Radio provides tips on where to get help if you are interested in building your business overseas. (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
The Formula for Successful Exporting: What makes a successful domestic product into one that is popular overseas? (05/16/06 - real, mp3)
Trade Important to U.S. Farmers (05/10/06 - real, mp3, wave)

Johanns Announces Resumption of Wheat Exports to Mexico From California After 10-Year Ban (05/12/06)
U.S. Pleased by Resumption of California Wheat Exports to Mexico: Mexico had banned exports after 1996 outbreak of Karnal bunt disease (U.S. Department of State; 05/14/06)

U.S. To Complete Inspection Of Meat Plants For Japan Very Soon (USDA Radio; 05/09/06 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S. Agriculture, Trade Officials Report on WTO Negotiations During Press Briefing in Geneva (05/03/06)
AUDIO: Johanns And US Trade Representative Rob Portman Brief Media On WTO DOHA Talks (05/03/06; Transcript)
Charts: Impact of Doha Proposals on NAMA Tariffs and Impact of Doha Proposals on Agriculture Tariffs (05/03/06)
Few Weeks Remain for Success in WTO Negotiations, Official Says: Few Weeks Remain for Success in WTO Negotiations, Official Says (U.S. Department of State; 05/03/06)
European Union Criticized For Slowing Down WTO Negotiations (USDA Radio; 05/03/06 - real, mp3, wave)
Statement of Ambassador Peter Allgeier Bsefore the Trade Negotiations Committee (05/01/06)
Minor Agreement Not Acceptable Result of Doha Trade Talks: USTR's Allgeier warns against further delay on tough issues (U.S. Department of State; 05/01/06)
A Great Divide Remains At WTO (USDA Radio; 05/01/06 - real, mp3, wave)

Russia Orders Reissue of Poultry Import Permits (FAS Attaché Report; 04/28/06, .pdf)
— Reaction To Russian Poultry Import Ban
(USDA Radio; 04/28/06 - real, mp3, wave)

USDA Releases BSE Prevalence Estimate For U.S. (04/28/06)
Transcript of Teleconference
USDA Report Shows Very Low BSE Prevalence In U.S. Cattle (USDA Radio; 04/28/06 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S., Canada Reach Agreement on Lumber Dispute (04/27/06)

Featured Reports
05/31  Russia: Wheat Prospects Worse than Average in Volga and Central Districts
05/31  World Apple Juice Situation: Global Apple Juice Production Recedes as China’s Apple Crop
            Declines, Trade To Continue Strong in MY 2005/06

05/18  Ukraine: Wheat Yield Forecast To Drop Due to Severe Fall Drought
05/15 
Brazil Soybean Crush Declines as Soybean Exports Continue to Strengthen
05/15  Tightening 2006/07 Global Grain Supplies to Boost Prices
05/15  USDA Initial 2006/07 Forecast: Consumption Growth Outpaces Production and Stocks Decline
05/10 
Avocado Situation and Outlook for Selected Countries
05/02  La Niña Delivers Wet and Cold Weather to South Africa's Corn
04/28  Argentina 2005/06 Corn Update
04/28 
Argentina 2005/06 Oilseeds Update
04/28 
China Winter Wheat Update: April 2006


World Production, Market and Trade Reports
05/25 
Sugar: World Markets and Trade (PDF); data table
05/15  Cotton: World Markets and Trade
05/15 
Grain: World Markets and Trade
05/15 
Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade
05/12 
Early release -- Cotton Data PDF - Excel - Excel CO2631000
05/12  Dairy Monthly Imports
05/12  World Agricultural Production PDF Data
05/04 
U.S. Planting Seed Trade
04/18 
Fishery Products: U.S. Exports Trade Data
04/18  Forest Products: U.S. Exports Trade Data

2006 Release Dates

Export Regulations
In Detail

Federal Register Notices

04/12/06 
Termination of petition for trade adjustment assistance for Florida lychee producers
03/29/06 
FAS denied a petition for trade adjustment assistance  for fresh potatoes that was filed by the Washington State Potato Commission
03/29/06  FAS approved a petition for trade adjustment assistance by the National Grape Cooperative Association representing Washington Concord juice grape producers
03/23/06  FAS approved a petition filed by the National Grape Cooperative Association representing Michigan Concord juice grape producers for trade adjustment assistance
03/17/06  Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program
03/06/06  FAS accepted a petition filed by the Washington State Potato Commission representing Washington fresh potato producers for trade adjustment assistance
02/21/06  FAS approved a petition for trade adjustment assistance  that was filed by a group of snapdragon producers in Indiana
02/10/06  Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection in support of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program
02/06/06 
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of Currently Approved Information Collections In Support of MAP and FMD
 
Export Sales
Archival export sales reports are available from 1998 to the present. -- The Export Sales Reporting Program: The Early Alert System for U.S. Exporters (brochure)

USDA Calendar of Publications
Calendar

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