Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/28/18

If the Trump administration decides to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, the U.S. agricultural sector is almost certain to to face retaliation, says a new report from Farmers for Free Trade.

The group examined several disputes with trading partners dating to 1995 in which other countries retaliated against U.S. tariffs by targeting U.S. agriculture. The Mexican trucking dispute, for example, which lasted from 1995 to 2001, led to 20 percent duties on dozens of U.S. ag products like fresh produce, ketchup, wine and beer.

"Our trading partners are not political neophytes," Brian Kuehl, executive director for Farmers for Free Trade, wrote in the report. "They know that targeting U.S. agriculture provides a powerful symbolic and political message both inside and outside Washington, D.C."

Vietnam launches WTO action against U.S. catfish import barriers: Vietnam took the first step in launching a WTO complaint against the United States, asking for formal consultations over U.S. measures it says unfairly restrict sales of catfish from Vietnam. Since 2008, the U.S. and Vietnam have sparred over requirements passed by Congress to take catfish inspections from under FDA's purview and give the responsibility to FSIS.