The update includes some of the provisions that Mexico and Canada have both balked at or come out in opposition to, according to the release from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). One is a five-year “sunset review” mechanism that would automatically terminate the agreement unless all three countries decide to renew it.Of note, the updated negotiating objectives feature a reference to the idea. Trump's revised objectives mention a major goal of opening Canada’s market for dairy, poultry and eggs. The U.S. also included a provision related to cross-border trucking, with USTR adding a line calling for the ability to “retain flexibility for U.S. non-conforming measures," including for maritime and long-haul trucking services.Ag Cuts Proposed As Offset for Hurricane Aid
The third disaster request from the Trump administration for hurricane aid totaled $44 billion and this time included suggested budget offsets. Some $3 billion in cuts for agriculture spending were offered as part of $59.23 billion in cuts to domestic programs to help pay for the aid.Most of the programs were already singled out for cuts in the Trump administration’s fiscal 2018 budget proposal including rural business loans, upgrades to federal research facilities, $3.9 billion from the Pell Grant surplus, $212 million from the Agricultural Research Service's building and facilities account, $800 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children $204 million in emergency conservation funds, $1.4 billion in unobligated balances for mandatory conservation programs, which includes money set aside for future agreements under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. However, lawmakers are not expected to go along with the proposed reductions.
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