Improved method for cladding the inside of metal tubes

Creep characteristics of molybdenum at high temperature and stress are utilized to compress tungsten foil liner against inner surface of tantalum alloy cylinder to form bond at interface. Temperature and pressure can be accurately controlled and size of workpiece is limited only by furnace size

CANADIAN EXPORTS OF WHEAT AND BARLEY TO THE UNITED STATES AND ITS IMPACTS ON U.S. DOMESTIC PRICES

Canadian exports of wheat and barley to the United States have increased significantly since the late 1980s. The objectives of this study are to determine the factors that affect trade flows of hard red spring wheat, durum wheat, malting barley, and feed barley from Canada to the United States and to evaluate the impacts of Canadian wheat and barley exports on the U.S. domestic prices of these commodities. Major factors affecting trade flows of these commodities from Canada to the United States include the exchange rate, quality differences, differences in market size, the U.S. Export Enhancement Program, the elimination of Canadian rail subsidies, and trade liberalization under the Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement of 1989 (CUSTA). These factors have positively influenced Canadian exports, resulting in major increases in Canadian exports of agricultural commodities to the United States. The increased Canadian exports have resulted in reduced U.S. domestic prices of wheat.bilateral trade, free trade agreement, wheat, barley, farm price, International Relations/Trade,

U.S. AGRICULTURAL TRADE WITH WESTERN HEMISPHERE COUNTRIES AND THE EFFECT OF THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS

Negotiations to create the largest single market in the world, the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), are in progress. Such an agreement could have significant effects on U.S. agriculture; it could create an opportunity to increase U.S. exports of agricultural commodities and products, and could also lead to an increase in imports. The objective of this study is to analyze U.S. agricultural trade with Western Hemisphere countries and to determine the effects of hemisphere-wide trade liberalization. The Western Hemisphere contains important sources for U.S. agricultural imports and important markets for U.S. agricultural exports, though the hemisphere has been more important as a source for imports than as a market for exports. Results suggest that U.S. agricultural exports within the hemisphere are positively influenced by real GDP in the importing country and negatively influenced by the strength of the U.S. dollar and tariffs in importing countries. U.S. agricultural imports are positively affected by the strength of the U.S. dollar and negatively affected by U.S. tariffs. A reduction in tariffs under the FTAA would have a greater effect on U.S. agricultural exports than it would on U.S. agricultural imports because tariffs are generally larger in other countries and food consumption is more price sensitive in other countries.Free Trade Area of the Americas, trade liberalization, Western Hemisphere, agricultural trade., International Relations/Trade,

U.S.-CANADA WHEAT TRADE AND ITS EFFECTS ON U.S. PRICE AND INCOME

The objectives of this study are to analyze the factors causing an increase in wheat imports from Canada and to estimate the effect of increased wheat imports on U.S. prices and farm income. An econometric model is developed and estimated to determine these factors and effects. Canadian exports to the United States are estimated as a function of U.S. price, the U.S. - Canada exchange rate, and other variables, while U.S. price is estimated as a function of imports from Canada, U.S. domestic supply and consumption, and exports. The two equations are estimated simultaneously. Results from this model are used to estimate the effect of imports from Canada on U.S. farm prices and income. Results indicate that imports from Canada have a significant negative effect on U.S. hard red spring and durum wheat prices and consequently decrease farm income for U.S. producers. However, while the effect is significant, it is still only a small portion of the total decrease in price in recent years. Some portion of the increased wheat imports is due to the elimination of import restrictions under the Canada - U.S. Free Trade Agreement, but other factors such as the exchange rate are also important.Canada, bilateral trade, hard red spring wheat, durum wheat, farm price, farm income, International Relations/Trade,

FORCES RESHAPING WORLD AGRICULTURE

This paper examines many of the forces reshaping world agriculture. Among these forces are increased trade liberalization, agricultural research and development, and new movements in developing countries. Worldwide agricultural production is likely to become more competitive as a result of increased trade liberalization through the World Trade Organization and regional and bilateral free trade agreements. Countries can become more competitive through agricultural research and development. As a result of research and development, total agricultural production has increased significantly across the world over the last several decades. Agricultural research has also led to the development of many new, non-food uses for agricultural products. New movements in developing countries include the substantial increases in agricultural production in Brazil and Argentina, and increases in consumption in China and other countries.globalization, research and development, productivity, biofuels, Brazil, food demand, International Relations/Trade,

AN OVERVIEW OF CUBAN AGRICULTURE AND PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES

For many years, the United States has blocked trade with Cuba, but the situation has recently changed. The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 loosened U.S. sanctions on agricultural exports to Cuba, allowing Cuba to buy from the United States using cash but not credit. The objectives of this study are to analyze Cuban agricultural production and trade and to estimate potential agricultural trade flows that could occur between the United States and Cuba if the embargo was completely lifted. The effects of various increases in Cuban GDP on Cuban import demand are also analyzed. Cuba could be a significant market for U.S. exports of wheat, wheat flour, rice, corn, pulses, poultry, and dairy products, while the United States would likely import sugar, citrus, and tobacco products from Cuba.Cuba, embargo, agricultural trade potential, International Relations/Trade,

ECONOMICS OF DETECTION AND CONTROL OF INVASIVE SPECIES: WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Invasive species are species that are not native to an ecosystem, and when introduced into the new ecosystem, they cause economic or environmental damage. Trade is one way in which these species are introduced into new regions, and as trade increases, the introduction of invasive species also rises. The Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, North Dakota State University, held a workshop on April 30, 2004 in Fargo, ND, titled ?Economics of Detection and Control of Invasive Species? to address these issues. The purpose of this workshop was to present current findings on the subject of invasive species in agricultural trade and to structure the model for an in-depth research project examining this issue. Speakers included experts from the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, as well as professors of economics from North Dakota State University and other academic institutions. Discussion included the impact of invasive species on agricultural production and trade, the tools used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border patrol to detect and control incoming species, and the creation of econometric models to capture and explain these processes and to analyze policy issues. This report contains abstracts from the presentations given at the workshop.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

ANALYSIS OF THE WORLD OIL CROPS MARKET

The world of oilseeds, meals, and oils has been evolving. New issues have emerged for researchers and policymakers. The United States is still the largest player, mainly due to its dominant position in soybeans and soybean meals. Nevertheless, the position of the United States has been challenged by several countries. The growth by Brazil and Argentina in the production of soybeans and soybean meal has especially eroded the market share of the United States in recent years. Malaysia and Indonesia have been aggressively marketing their palm oil, intensifying the competition for U.S. soybean oil exports. Other issues include changing trade policies and demand in major importing countries, trade liberalization, and genetically modified crops.oilseeds, soybeans, Brazil, Argentina, trade, Crop Production/Industries,

Growing U.S. Trade Deficit in Consumer-Oriented Agricultural Products

We investigate the factors behind the growing U.S. trade deficit in consumer-oriented agricultural products by using reliable panel data and an empirical trade model derived from international trade theory. The results indicate that per capita income in the United States appears to be the most important determinant for the growing U.S. trade deficit of consumer-oriented agricultural products. An increase in per capita income and trade liberalization in foreign countries would improve the U.S. trade balance. U.S. foreign direct investment abroad in food manufactures and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are found to have negative effects on the U.S. trade balance.consumer-oriented products, exchange rate, trade balance, trade deficit, Agribusiness, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade, F14, Q17,

Structure of the Canola and Biodiesel Industries

The biodiesel industry in the United States has grown significantly in recent years. Production increased from 25 million gallons in 2004 to an estimated 250 million gallons in 2006, and many new plants are being built. Most biodiesel in the United States is produced from soybean oil, but canola offers characteristics which make it a favorable feedstock for biodiesel production. Characteristics of canola oil also make it an increasingly popular choice for human consumption. This study examines the structure of the biodiesel and canola industries. Specifically, the study describes changes in the biodiesel industry, trends in canola production in the United States and Canada, profitability and production risk for canola, the characteristics of canola oil for both human consumption and biodiesel production, the profitability of biodiesel production, and the potential to meet the demand for biodiesel production in the United States.Canola, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,