Trans American

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has express optimism in agreement in principal for NAFTA, while Canadian chief negotiator Steve Verheul stated “We’ve got quite a bit of work to do yet”. The eighth round of the negotiations will take place next month.  As reported via Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-nafta-canada/u-s-upbeat-about-fast-nafta-deal-canada-says-much-work-is-left-idUSKBN1H42H0   This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY… Read more : North American Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided guidance on how Canadian food exporters can meet the U.S. Foreign Supplier Verification Program rules. Canada and the U.S. have a Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement (FSSRA).  The FSSRA provides modified requirements to U.S. importers when they import food that is covered under the FSSRA from Canadian… Read more : Food & Drug Administration – Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

Canada and Mercosur (a trade bloc consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) have recently completed exploratory talks on a comprehensive free trade agreement. Per a news release from Global Affairs Canada, “A successful FTA also has the potential to provide Canadian consumers and business with enhanced access to import of goods and services from… Read more : Canada – Mercosur Free Trace Agreement (FTA)a

A March 22 U.S. House of Representatives press release stated that they had passed omnibus government spending legislation. The legislation included provisions for the retroactive renewal of GSP (though no interest will be paid on the refunds).  GSP when renewed would run through December 31, 2020.  It is expected that renewal will take place in… Read more : General System of Preferences (GSP) Expected to be Renewed and Retroactive

Activity-based pay is one change ELDs could bring to truck drivers, and that could put more change in their pockets. Shippers with private fleets are said to lead in this area, which could spread to more for-hire trucking companies struggling to recruit drivers.  An activity-based pay system may be a small price to pay for… Read more : Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) Capable of Paving Way to Task-Based Driver Pay