(Washington, D.C., April 18, 2019) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel found that China has administered its tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for wheat, corn, and rice inconsistently with its WTO commitments. Contrary to those commitments, China’s TRQ administration is not transparent, predictable, or fair, and it ultimately inhibits TRQs from filling, denying U.S. farmers access to China’s market for grain.
This panel report is the second significant victory for U.S. agriculture this year, and, together with the victory against China’s excessive domestic support for grains, will help American farmers compete on a more level playing field.
“This second important victory for the United States further demonstrates that President Trump will take all steps necessary to enforce trade rules and to ensure free and fair trade for U.S. farmers. The Administration will continue to press China to promptly come into compliance with its WTO obligations,” said Ambassador Lighthizer.
China’s grain TRQs have annually underfilled. USDA estimates that if China’s TRQs had been fully used, it would have imported as much as $3.5 billion worth of corn, wheat and rice in 2015 alone.
“Making sure our trading partners play by the rules is vital to providing our farmers the opportunity to export high-quality, American-grown products to the world,” said Secretary Perdue. “Today’s announcement is another victory for American farmers and fairness in the global trade system. We will use every tool available to gain meaningful market access opportunities for U.S. grains and other agricultural products.”
Background:
Upon accession to the WTO, China made commitments specific to its administration of TRQs, including the commitment to administer its TRQs in a transparent, predictable, and fair basis, using clearly specified administrative procedures and requirements that do not inhibit the filling of each TRQ. In August 2017, the United States requested that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to consider whether China administers its TRQs for long-grain rice, short- and medium-grain rice, wheat, and corn in a manner inconsistent with its WTO commitments.
Today’s panel report agrees with the United States that China administers its TRQs in a manner inconsistent with its Accession Protocol obligations, through its eligibility criteria, allocation and reallocation procedures, public comment process, and processing restrictions. In addition, China allocates a significant portion of each TRQ to a designated state-trading enterprise (STE) and does not subject the STE to the same rules applied to non-state trading enterprises applying for and importing grains under the TRQs. Each finding individually established that China’s TRQ measures are inconsistent with its obligations.
Compliance with WTO rules will lead to market-oriented TRQ administration and improved access for U.S. and other exporters, overall creating a more level playing field.
Read more about the U.S. challenge, including additional details about how China’s TRQ administration breaches its WTO commitments.
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14 Pro Cycling Teams Accept Early Invitations to
Race in August at 2019 Tour of Utah
TOU Attracts International Flavor with Five Countries Represented at
“America’s Toughest Stage Race”
SALT LAKE CITY (April 18, 2019) – Fourteen of the world’s best international and domestic men’s professional cycling teams have accepted invitations to compete at the 2019 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah on Aug. 12-18. Five countries are represented among the current lineup - Australia, Colombia, Israel, Italy, and the United States.
Two teams racing the Tour of Utah for the first time are from the UCI Pro Continental ranks with Manzana Postobon (Colombia) and Neri Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM (Italy). Among the returning U.S.-based teams, six have competed for five or more years in Utah -- EF Education First, Trek-Segafredo, Hagens Berman Axeon, Rally UHC Cycling, Arapahoe l Hincapie powered by BMC and Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling presented by Maxxis.
The longest streak for competing at the Tour of Utah is 11 years and belongs to Rally UHC Cycling, a UCI Pro Continental team managed by Circuit Sport. Last year the team competed as Rally Pro Cycling. Another new name in the peloton is Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling presented by Maxxis. This squad competed for six years in Utah under the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling colors.
These teams have accounted for 37 stage victories and overall classification titles at the Tour of Utah since 2011, the year the Tour was elevated internationally by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Three additional teams will be added later this spring for “America’s Toughest Stage Race," for a total of 17 teams in the final field of the UCI 2.HC stage race. Rosters for each team are expected to total 120 riders and will be announced in late July.
TEAMS ACCEPTING INVITATIONS (as of 4/18/19)
“The Tour of Utah continues to attract a prestigious field of teams for seven days of fierce competition across our beautiful state,” said John Kimball, managing director of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. “The world-class quality of teams matched with the challenging terrain of Utah always creates a worthy champion. We expect the 15th edition of the Tour of Utah will again deliver triumphant moments at the finish line each day for the riders and spectators.”
Four of these teams will be competing in May at the Giro d’Italia, one of the three Grand Tours of men’s stage racing. EF Education Pro Cycling and Trek-Segafredo will participate as UCI WorldTour teams. Israel Cycling Academy and NIPPO-Vini Fantini-Faizanè are both UCI Pro Continental teams and received wild card entries for the event. It is the third year Israel Cycling Academy will compete in Utah and the fourth year for NIPPO-Vini Fantini-Faizanè.
The Tour of Utah will begin on Aug. 12 at Snowbird Resort for a prologue (short time trial), one of four ski resorts that is part of the event. The Tour will conclude on Aug. 18 in Park City. Additional host venues are North Logan City, Brigham City, Powder Mountain Resort, Antelope Island State Park, North Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, and Canyons Village at Park City Mountain.
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is free to all spectators, making professional cycling one of the most unique professional sports in the world today. It remains a 2.HC-rated stage race on the UCI America Tour, making it one of the premier events for professional cycling teams in North America. The Tour is also part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour. More information about the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah can be found by visiting www.tourofutah.com, as well as social channels Facebook (tourofutah), Twitter (tourofutah), Instagram (thetourofutah) and YouTube (Tour of Utah).
-- tourofutah.com –
About the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, referred to as "America's Toughest Stage RaceTM," is a week-long, professional cycling stage race for the best men’s teams in the world. The 2019 event will be held Aug. 12-18. Last year the Tour covered 548 miles of racing and 43,780 feet of elevation gain. Now in its 15th year, the event was elevated in 2015 as a 2.HC-rated UCI stage race, making it one of the premier events in North America. The Tour of Utah is owned by Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment. More information about the Tour of Utah and host venues can be found by visiting www.tourofutah.com.
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Bank of Utah Launches Second Annual “Kick Childhood Hunger” Food Drive
The community bank invites the public to drop off food donations at their 17 branches and loan offices statewide
OGDEN, Utah, April 18, 2019 – Bank of Utah is inviting the community to help “Kick Childhood Hunger” by dropping off donations of cash and non-perishable food at their 17 bank branches and loan offices throughout Utah, April 22 – May 17, 2019. This is the second annual food drive for the locally- owned and operated bank based in Ogden. Last year, with the community’s help, Bank of Utah delivered approximately two tons of food to local charities. Their goal for 2019 is three tons.
“When we hear startling statistics such as one in six children in the U.S. suffer from food insecurity, we know that we as a community bank need to do our part to help feed hungry children in our bank communities,” said Bank of Utah President Douglas L. DeFries. “To think that children in our own neighborhoods go to school every day without breakfast and lunch, and come home to empty cupboards, is just heartbreaking. I hope our great customers and neighbors will drop off non-perishable foods at our branches and help us make a difference in these children’s lives.”
Donations to “Kick Childhood Hunger” will be distributed to local food pantries that help schools put food in children’s backpacks to ward off hunger during school, and to send home food with the children on the weekend.
Bank of Utah will accept any non-perishable food item, but pantries prefer packaged and canned foods that children can easily use to feed themselves at home and school. No glass jars, please.
Canned pasta (spaghetti, ravioli, etc.)
Canned stew
Canned chili
Pasta sauce
Canned meat
Granola bars
Individual fruit cups/pouches
Peanut butter
Macaroni and Cheese
Oatmeal (packets)
Fruit Snacks
Peanut butter or cheese crackers
Several schools in communities such as Logan, Brigham City and Provo have joined Bank of Utah in the Kick Childhood Hunger effort. Together they will deliver donations to 11 food pantries across the state including:
· Cache Community Pantry - Logan
· Tremonton Community Pantry - Tremonton
· Box Elder Community Pantry - Brigham City
· Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank - Ogden
· Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP) - Ogden
· Bountiful Food Pantry - Bountiful
· Crossroads Urban Center - Salt Lake City
· Peace House - Heber City
· Community Action Services and Food Bank - Provo
· Carbon Caring for Kids - Price
· Switchpoint - St. George
For more information, visit bankofutah.com/kick-childhood-hunger.
About Bank of Utah
Beautiful evergreen trees are admired for their ability to thrive in all kinds of conditions, symbolizing strength, protection, growth and knowledge. Like the sturdy pine in its logo, Bank of Utah has thrived for 66 years to become one of the strongest banks in the country. Its roots were firmly planted in 1952 by the Frank M. Browning family of Ogden, and the bank has grown to more than 350 employees and $1.4 billion in assets. Bank of Utah has 17 full-service branches in Tremonton, Logan, Brigham City, Ogden, Roy Layton, Bountiful, Salt Lake, Heber City, Lindon, Orem and Provo, mortgage offices in St. George, Price and Logan and corporate trust teams in Ogden and Salt Lake City. Bank of Utah offers personal and business banking, mortgage and commercial lending and trust and investment services. When you see a durable evergreen tree, remember Bank of Utah and its commitment to serve its thousands of customers for many years to come. For more information call 1-800-516-5559 or visit bankofutah.com.
