UPDATED AUGUST 1

Washington Weekly is IDFA’s new update curating policy news from the nation’s capital. This week, the Trump administration talks trade with the European Union (EU); the 2018 Farm Bill moves forward in the Senate; and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer talks to appropriators on Capitol Hill.

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Trump Administration Officials Announce Trade Talks with EU on Agriculture

Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, on Sunday announced that the United States will begin negotiations with the EU on trade agreements for farm products, such as soybeans and beef. Participants in these negotiations will include Kudlow and Ambassador Lighthizer. Read more here.

2018 Farm Bill Goes to Conference

The Senate voted to move the 2018 Farm Bill to conference Tuesday night, a major victory for Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he wants to take up a farm bill conference report on the Senate floor shortly after Labor Day. Read the details.

Lighthizer Testifies to Senate Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee

Senate appropriators last Thursday questioned Ambassador Lighthizer about the status of the Trump administration’s strategy regarding China’s unfair trade practices, as well as how it wishes to leverage additional export markets for American farmers and producers. Learn more about the hearing here.