We talk a lot about trade and the effects it has on the agricultural economy. We have heard concerns from Ag groups about the trade situation and their worries that the administration isn’t being as aggressive on trade as possible.
During the NAFB Washington Watch event, Doug McKalip, the Chief Ag Negotiator from the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office talked with the group of farm broadcasters about these concerns and more. He led off by laying out what the role of Chief Ag Negotiator is all about.
McKalip told broadcasters that we are experiencing one of the highest value years in Ag trade that we have had. He ran out the numbers from the last few years.
Now, you can take that with a grain of salt. We all know that when you go anywhere these days, you aren’t getting the same value for the things you purchase, no matter how strong some claim the economy is. When pressed on how we have such a large amount of ag products not moving, despite the numbers being high, McKalip had this to say.
Of course, there is something to be said about what consumers spend their money on, but it seems that you can take a lot of the trade situation with a grain of salt. It can be good or bad, depending on who you ask and which party is making the policy.
