• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • MEMBER LOGIN
U.S. Wheat Associates
  • Our Story
    • About USW
    • Dependable People. Reliable Wheat.
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Office Locations
  • Market Information
    • Market Information
    • Price Reports
    • Price Charting Tools
    • Supply and Demand
    • Commercial Sales
  • Crop Quality
    • Crop Quality
    • Harvest Reports
    • Hard Red Winter
    • Hard Red Spring
    • Hard White
    • Soft White
    • Soft Red Winter
    • Durum
  • Working With Buyers
    • Working With Buyers
    • Customer Conferences
    • Wheat Classes
    • Wheat Glossary
    • Wheat Grade Factors
    • How to Buy
    • Ask the Expert
    • Resources
  • Who We Represent
    • Who We Represent
    • Board Meetings
    • State Wheat Commissions
    • Partners
    • Trade Activities
  • Policy
    • Policy
    • Trade Negotiations
    • Trade Barriers
    • Innovation and Sustainability
    • Food Security and Assistance
    • Public–Private Partnership
  • News
    • Newsroom
    • Wheat Letter Blog
    • News Releases
    • Videos
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Policy2 / Trade Negotiations


U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) supports free trade through multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade agreements. USW works closely with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure favorable terms for wheat exports in all trade negotiations.


UNITED STATES AND CHINA

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcomed Phase 1 of the U.S.-China agreement announced in January 2020 (see links below). The agreement has additional rules governing China’s tariff rate quota (TRQ) administration. Chinese policies have long restricted the use of the wheat TRQ, which eventually led to the U.S. case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging those policies. The new TRQ provisions should ensure better TRQ usage and allow more Chinese millers to access U.S. wheat supplies.

While the deal did not directly lift retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, it did open a path for importers to apply for exemptions. This led to the re-opening of China’s imports of hard red winter (HRW), hard red spring (HRS) and soft white (SW) wheat, which were increasing before China implemented the tariffs in March 2018.

The United States won two cases filed against China at the WTO. In late 2016, the United States took a case against China at the WTO on unfair domestic support and market access that distort the market and disadvantages U.S. wheat, corn and rice producers. The U.S. wheat industry depends on favorable resolutions to these disputes and other trade negotiations with China.

Read U.S. Wheat Associates commentaries:

Phase One Trade Deal Should Restore China’s Demand for U.S. Wheat

One Year Later – Phase One Trade Deal with China Producing Results for U.S. Wheat

Revised China Tariff Quota Rules Could Have a Significant Impact on U.S. Wheat Exports

Chinese Government Grain Policy TRQ Dispute Moving Ahead

UNITED STATES AND EUROPE

The United States and the European Union (EU) attempted to negotiate an FTA called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between 2013 and 2016. TTIP talks have since stalled, and the United States has agreed to separate negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK) and the remaining 27 members of the EU.

U.S. Wheat Associates has submitted comments on negotiating objectives for the proposed U.S.-UK agreement and U.S.-EU agreement.

U.S. wheat has also been subject to tariffs in the large but unrelated civil aircraft case at the WTO. Those tariffs are currently on hold as part of a five-year-truce negotiated by the Biden administration. Read more about these tariffs at:

Can An Aircraft Dispute Resolution Open Wheat Trade with Europe?

EU Hits HRS Imports with Punitive Tariffs; Durum Trade Remains Open

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides a framework for trade negotiations, settling trade disputes, and transparency of trade measures for more than 160 WTO member countries. These elements create a more predictable environment for buyers and sellers engaged in global wheat trade.

Particularly crucial for wheat trade is the WTO “Agreement on Agriculture” and “Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement.” These agreements govern domestic support programs, import tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, phytosanitary measures, export subsidies and several other aspects of agricultural trade.

U.S. Wheat Associates’ priority for WTO negotiations is to improve market access for the wheat industry by lowering tariffs and removing non-tariff barriers. Another priority is to address the rise of non-compliant domestic support in developing countries, such as the China domestic support case and the India counter-notification.

While the failure of the Doha Round means countries need to reassess how to move multilateral trade negotiations forward, the WTO remains an important institution to provide transparency, settle disputes and liberalize trade. Read more on the WTO at:

U.S. Agricultural Organizations Ask for Positive Reforms at the World Trade Organization

Industry Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

OTHER TRADE AGREEMENTS

Currently, the United States has 14 active free trade agreements (FTAs) covering 20 countries, most of which are net wheat importers. Click here for a list of completed U.S. free trade agreements.

U.S. Wheat Associates has always supported negotiating new trade agreements as the best way to lock in duty-free access while preventing competitors from gaining preferential advantages. However, less than 40% of U.S. wheat trade is covered under FTAs, underscoring the need for new negotiations with new FTA partners.



Filter:




thumbnail
Trade Barriers, WTO Letters

Letter on U.S. Agriculture Priorities for WTO Reform

MORE
September 21, 2021
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 Amanda Spoo https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png Amanda Spoo2021-09-21 16:56:212021-09-21 16:56:21Letter on U.S. Agriculture Priorities for WTO Reform
thumbnail
Trade Barriers, Trade Negotiations Submission

Comments Regarding the Economic Impact of Trade Agreement Implemented under Trade Authorities Procedures, 2021

MORE
November 18, 2020
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 actualize https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png actualize2020-11-18 23:13:182021-09-13 07:46:51Comments Regarding the Economic Impact of Trade Agreement Implemented under Trade Authorities Procedures, 2021
thumbnail
Trade Negotiations Submission

U.S. Wheat Associates Comments on Trade Negotiations with the United Kingdom

MORE
January 23, 2019
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 actualize https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png actualize2019-01-23 16:35:502019-01-23 16:35:50U.S. Wheat Associates Comments on Trade Negotiations with the United Kingdom
thumbnail
Domestic Support, Trade Barriers, WTO Submission

U.S. Wheat Submission on Turkish Flour & GSP Eligibility

MORE
September 25, 2018
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 actualize https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png actualize2018-09-25 17:09:172018-09-25 17:09:17U.S. Wheat Submission on Turkish Flour & GSP Eligibility
thumbnail
China, Domestic Support, Trade Barriers Fact Sheets

Chinese Subsidies Harm World Wheat Exporters – Fact Sheet

MORE
January 1, 2018
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 actualize https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png actualize2018-01-01 14:33:262018-01-01 14:33:26Chinese Subsidies Harm World Wheat Exporters – Fact Sheet
thumbnail
China, Domestic Support, Trade Barriers Reports and Studies

Analysis on Impacts of Support Policies in China (January 2016)

MORE
January 1, 2016
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png 0 0 actualize https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png actualize2016-01-01 14:31:582016-01-01 14:31:58Analysis on Impacts of Support Policies in China (January 2016)

Quick Links

  • Policy
  • Trade Negotiations
  • Trade Barriers
  • Innovation and Sustainability
  • Food Security and Assistance
  • Public-Private Partnership

Additional Resources

  • USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
  • USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Trade Policy
  • USDA FAS Trade Negotiations
  • U.S. Trade Representative
  • USTR Trade Agreements
  • World Trade Organization

Interactive U.S. Wheat Export Supply System Map

USE THIS TOOL

Stay up to date on wheat industry news!

SUBSCRIBE

Think Farm Export Programs Don’t Matter? Think Again.

GET THE REST OF THE STORY

Our Story

  • About USW
  • Dependable People. Reliable Wheat.
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff Directory
  • Office Locations

Market Information

  • Market Information
  • Price Reports
  • Price Charting Tools
  • Supply and Demand
  • Commercial Sales

Crop Quality

  • Crop Quality
  • Harvest Reports
  • Hard Red Winter
  • Hard Red Spring
  • Hard White
  • Soft White
  • Soft Red Winter
  • Durum

Working with Buyers

  • Working With Buyers
  • Customer Conferences
  • Wheat Classes
  • Wheat Glossary
  • Wheat Grade Factors
  • How to Buy
  • Ask the Expert
  • Resources

Who We Represent

  • Who We Represent
  • Board Meetings
  • State Wheat Commissions
  • Partners
  • Trade Activities

Policy

  • Policy
  • Trade Negotiations
  • Trade Barriers
  • Innovation and Sustainability
  • Food Security and Assistance
  • Public-Private Partnership

News

  • Newsroom
  • Wheat Letter Blog
  • News Releases
  • Videos

DTN Wheat Detail
DTN Corn Detail

2008-2013 U.S. Wheat Associates. All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Statement

Scroll to top