President Donald Trump’s unexpected move to threaten a 50% tariff on Brazil risks roiling global commodity markets, disrupting trade on everything from beef to coffee.
Trade
US Pauses Restart of Mexican Cattle Imports due to Screwworm
The Agriculture Department said Wednesday evening that the U.S. would be closing the southern border to livestock trade, effective immediately, after reports that New World screwworm has resumed its northward spread.
Bunge Completes $8 Billion Merger with Grain Trader Viterra
Bunge Global SA completed its takeover of Glencore Plc-backed Viterra, a move that will help the combined businesses better compete with larger rivals like Cargill Inc. and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. as the crop-trading sector faces a downturn in profits.
Ag Trade Deficit Reaches Record High $20 Billion Through April
From January through April, the United States imported $78.2 billion in agricultural products while exporting just $58.5 billion. This $19.7 billion deficit is the largest ever recorded for the first four months of a year and signals that the 2025 deficit could surpass previous records.
Iran-Israel Conflict Adds Uncertainty to Fertilizer Market
Renewed conflict in the Middle East has shuttered urea production in Iran, sending ripples through global fertilizer markets and adding to existing uncertainty around Russian and Chinese supplies.
Integrity of USDA Data Questioned After Trade Report Redaction
Analysts voiced concerns this week about the integrity of U.S. Department of Agriculture reports after the agency delayed a report and excluded findings that point to tariffs as a reason for a forecasted increase in the agricultural trade deficit.
US Trade Deficit Narrows by 55% in April
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.
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 […]