The U.S. deficit with its global trading partners tumbled by the largest amount on record in April as companies and consumers no longer rushed to get imports ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. On the agriculture side, however, the latest forecast projects that the agricultural trade deficit will grow to $49.5 billion for fiscal year 2025, which ends Sept. 30, up from the $49 billion deficit projected in February.
Trade
Farmer Sentiment Reaches Highest Level Since 2021
Bloomberg’s Michael Hirtzer, Erin Ailworth, and Skylar Woodhouse reported Tuesday that “American farmer sentiment jumped to a four-year high, with growers betting on rising crop exports as the Trump administration pushes for more trade deals from Vietnam to Italy.” “US President Donald Trump has pushed an America-first agenda that has hit crop exports. Top commodities […]
US & China Agree to Lower Tariffs for 90 Days
Bloomberg’s Jenny Leonard reported that “the US and China will temporarily lower tariffs on each other’s products in a dramatic ratcheting down of trade tensions that buys the world’s two largest economies three months to work toward a broader agreement.” “The combined 145% US levies on most Chinese imports will be reduced to 30% including […]
US-UK Trade Deal Could Help American Ethanol and Beef
Progressive Farmer’s Chris Clayton reported that “ethanol will see lower tariffs selling into the United Kingdom and other agricultural products such as beef should also see greater market access under a new trade deal with the UK announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday.” “At an event in the White House, Trump said leaders in […]
Crop Traders Report Tariffs Weighing on Profits, Outlooks
Global crop trading companies — including Archer-Daniels-Midland, Bunge Global and Andersons Inc. — have largely reported this week that uncertainties surrounding tariffs and trade have taken a toll on first-quarter profits and could continue to affect bottom lines throughout the remainder of 2025. Reuters’ Karl Plume and Mrinalika Roy reported that “tariffs and trade chaos […]
China, Amid Trade War, Says it Doesn’t Need US Grains and Oilseeds
Bloomberg’s Hallie Gu reported that “China’s grain supply won’t be affected by a loss of US feed grain and oilseed imports, thanks to abundantly available substitutes on the global market and sufficient reserves at home, a top official from the country’s state planner told reporters on Monday.” “The world’s top buyer of soybeans is set […]
Trump Says US Could Re-Impose Some Reciprocal Tariffs
CNN’s David Goldman reported Wednesday that “President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he could re-impose ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on some countries in as soon as two or three weeks, a potentially significant re-escalation of the global trade war that has already raised fears of a US and global recession.” “‘In the end, I think what’s going […]
US Imposes Slightly Eased Port Fees on Chinese Ships
Agri-Pulse’s Oliver Ward reported this past week that “starting in October, the U.S. will impose port fees on Chinese-made ships and Chinese operators based on cargo volumes, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said on Thursday. But ag exporters will see some relief as the measures will not apply to ships that arrive empty […]
Soybean Farmers Concerned as Trump Raises China Tariffs to 125%
The Associated Press’ Huizhong Wu reported that “President Donald Trump raised the tariff on Chinese imports to 125% on Wednesday, hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84% in an escalating battle that threatens to disrupt trade between the world’s two largest economies.” “Citing a lack of respect, Trump set China apart […]
Trump Administration Discussing Farmer Tariff Relief Package
Fortune’s Stuart Dyos reported on Sunday that “Trump administration officials and lawmakers have begun exploring a relief package for U.S. farmers as agricultural trade groups warn of economic repercussions from tariffs. That’s as retaliation against President Donald Trump’s sweeping import taxes could harm U.S. exports of farm products.” “‘We are setting up the infrastructure that […]
Trump Threatens Additional 50% Tariff on China
NBC News’ Peter Guo reported that “China said Tuesday it will ‘fight to the end’ if President Donald Trump imposes an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods as many countries rush to negotiate trade with the United States.” “If the plan is fully implemented, the total tariffs on goods imported into the United States from […]
Key Ag Inputs Exempt from New Reciprocal Tariffs
Agri-Pulse’s Oliver Ward reported late last week that “certain agriculture inputs will be exempt from the 10% across-the-board duties and higher reciprocal duties applied to specific trade partners, according to a detailed list of carveouts published by the White House.” “Listed among the 37 pages of products excluded from the steep new duties are potash, […]
China Announces 34% Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods
CNBC’s Ruxandra Iordache reported that “China’s finance ministry on Friday said it will impose a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the U.S. starting on April 10, following duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration earlier this week, according to state news outlet Xinhua.” “‘China urges the United States to immediately cancel its […]
Trump Implements Sweeping Tariffs Ranging from 10% to 49%
Agri-Pulse’s Oliver Ward reported that “President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new 10% across-the-board tariff in addition to reciprocal duties that will apply to specific trade partners, including China, the European Union, Japan and South Korea. At an event in the Rose Garden Wednesday dubbed, ‘Make America Wealthy Again,’ and with his cabinet in […]
Reciprocal Tariffs Expected Today, Details Remain Unknown
Reuters’ Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt reported that “the White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will impose new tariffs on Wednesday, though it provided no details about the size and scope of trade barriers that have businesses, consumers and investors fretting about an intensifying global trade war.” “Trump has for weeks trumpeted […]
Reciprocal Tariffs Expected on ‘All Countries’ April 2
Reuters’ Andrea Shalal reported that “U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that reciprocal tariffs he is set to announce this week will include all nations, not just a smaller group of 10 to 15 countries with the biggest trade imbalances.” “Trump has promised to unveil a massive tariff plan on Wednesday, which he has […]
Poll Shows Waning Farmer Support for Trump Tariffs
Farmer support for President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs may be decreasing, according to an internet poll released on March 24 by AgWeb. That poll of roughly 3,000 self-identified farmers showed that 54% of respondents said they do not support Trump’s continued use of tariffs as a negotiation tool. “The poll then followed-up by asking, […]
Black Sea Grain Deal Revival Talks Underway
World-Grain’s Arvin Donley reported Monday that “Russia is expressing interest in resuming the Black Sea Grain Initiative as part of its discussions with the United States on March 24 in Saudi Arabia regarding a potential ceasefire with Ukraine, Reuters reported.” “The deal, which originally was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, allowed safe passage […]
US Rapidly Increasing Foreign Egg Imports Amid Bird Flu
Reuters’ Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas reported that “the U.S. has almost doubled imports of Brazilian eggs once used only for pet food and is considering relaxing regulations for eggs laid by chickens raised for meat, as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to bring down sky-high prices spiked by bird flu.” “The Trump administration is […]
Proposed US Port Fees on China Ships Already Hitting Ag Exports
Reuters Lisa Baertlein, Karl Plume and Timothy Gardner reported Wednesday that “President Donald Trump’s plan to revive U.S. shipbuilding using massive fees on China-linked ship visits to American ports is causing U.S. coal inventories to swell and stoking uncertainty in the embattled agriculture market, as exporters struggle to find ships to send goods abroad.” “Trump […]