USDA Releases Further Details of Trade Aid for Farmers
Recall that back in May, the Trump administration announced a new $16 billion trade aid package for U.S. farmers harmed by the ongoing trade conflict with China. In early June, the…
African Swine Fever Impacting Chinese Protein Markets and U.S. Pork Exports
Despite Chinese tariffs on U.S. pork, dynamics associated with the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak have created market opportunities for pork exports to China. In addition, Chinese beef imports surged…
China Plans Purchase of U.S. Farm Products, According to Reports
Since U.S., China trade negotiations resumed late last month, conflicting perspectives have emerged with respect to China's promise to purchase large amounts of U.S. farm products. Today's update highlights recent…
Conflicting Perspectives on China’s Promise to Purchase More U.S. Farm Goods
Recent news reports have noted that U.S., China trade negotiations have been revived, but that China has yet to move forward with large U.S. agricultural purchases, as promised by President…
Senate Agriculture Committee Trade Hearing- USMCA, China, and MFP Payments
On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing titled, "Certainty in Global Markets for the U.S. Agriculture Sector." Lawmakers discussed the USMCA, the ongoing trade negotiations with China, and…
House Ag Subcommittee Agricultural Trade Hearing- USMCA Approval “Vital”
On Tuesday, the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee held a hearing highlighting agricultural trade issues. Lawmakers discussed the USMCA, the ongoing trade negotiations with China, and the impact…
Positive Trade News with Mexico in the Midst of an Awful Spring for Planting
As a dreadful spring for planting limps into the second week of June, producers continue to assess the impacts of record Midwestern precipitation on corn and soybeans. Meanwhile, a welcome…
Farmers Unsettled by U.S. Tariff Threats, While USDA Projects Lower Agricultural Exports
Recent news articles point to a feeling of unease among U.S. farmers regarding President Trump's threat late last week to impose import tariffs on Mexican goods. Mexico is a top…
China Halts U.S. Soybean Purchases, While USMCA Prospects Unfold Under a new Threat of Tariffs on Mexico
Today's update reviews recent news articles that highlight two important trade issues impacting U.S. farmers: China's imports of U.S. soybeans, and the likely ratification of the USMCA Agreement with Canada…
Trump Administration Announces Additional Trade Aid to Farmers
Wall Street Journal writer Josh Zumbrun reported on Thursday that, "The Trump administration said it would spend $16 billion to offset the impact on American agriculture from the trade conflict with…
Welcome News on Trade, But Unresolved Issues Linger
Executive branch policy action last week resulted in some very welcome good news for U.S. agriculture. Metal import tariffs on Canada and Mexico were lifted, improving the outlook for the…
U.S., China Trade Dispute Escalates, While Some Trade Aid Details Emerge
The U.S., China trade dispute escalated this week, weighing on some agricultural markets. Meanwhile, news reports indicate that the executive branch is working on additional trade aid for farmers…
U.S., China at Trade Impasse- President Trump Offers Policy Help for Farmers
Last week, the United States made good on a threat to increase trade tariffs on China. Some agricultural markets roiled on the news, and President Trump offered policy assistance to…
President Trump Threatens More Tariffs on Chinese Goods- Implementation Planned for Friday
Reuters writers Jeff Mason and David Shepardson reported this week that, "President Donald Trump dramatically increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal by announcing on Sunday he would…
Trade Process Moves Forward on China, USMCA, and Japan, as Farmers Feel Strain
Today's update briefly reviews recent news articles highlighting executive branch action relating to China, the USMCA (Canada and Mexico) and Japan. In addition, news articles documenting current strain in the…
ERS Analysis: Southeast Asia- Growing Meat Demand, Feedstuffs Imports
Earlier this month, the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) published an article ("Southeast Asia’s Growing Meat Demand and Its Implications for Feedstuffs Imports," by Tani Lee and James Hansen) which…
U.S., China Trade Talks- Planned Timeline and Agricultural Issues
Recent news developments point to a potential timeline for ongoing U.S., China trade negotiations. More narrowly, articles have also discussed agricultural variables that have arisen in the talks; and as…
U.S.-China Trade Talks: “Great Progress,” Yet “Some Way to Go.”
Late last week, Los Angeles Times writer Don Lee reported that, "Despite hopes that a U.S.-China trade deal is at hand, President Trump said Thursday that some key issues have…
U.S. Soybean Exports to China Increased in February; Trade Negotiations Return to Washington, D.C.
A recent news article reported that Chinese imports of U.S. soybeans increased in February, contributing to a narrowing of the trade deficit between the two countries. Nonetheless, the imports were…
U.S., China Trade Talks Persist, While Flooding Compounds Stress on the Ag Economy
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are scheduled to travel to China next week to start a new round of face-to-face trade talks. As the negotiations continue,…