Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Usually when the Canadian dollar starts to drop lower than its U.S. counterpart it’s good for producers — but this time not so much. Along with the drop, commodity prices have also dropped. “Unfortunately I’m not so sure that what we’ve seen in terms of a decline in the Canadian dollar versus […] Read more
Low loonie not good for farmers right now
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle pivot higher on bargain buying
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle turned up sharply on Friday, with support from short-covering and bargain buying after Thursday’s losses that were partly led by U.S. trade uncertainty, said analysts and traders. On Friday China said it planned to impose similar size tariffs soon after Washington announced duties on $50 billion […] Read more
Italy won’t ratify EU trade deal with Canada, farm minister says
Reading Time: 3 minutes Milan | Reuters — Italy will not ratify the European Union’s free trade agreement with Canada, its new agriculture minister said on Thursday, ratcheting up an international trade spat and potentially scuppering the EU’s biggest accord in years. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the first major trade deal the European Union has […] Read more
Canadian dairy sector skimming global exports, U.S. complains
Reading Time: 2 minutes Winnipeg/Chicago | Reuters — Canada’s surging exports of protein-rich skim milk powder have angered farmers in the U.S., as the sheltered dairy sector in Canada draws the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump for its high tariffs. Canada cannot expect to have both a protected system and compete globally, U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Tom […] Read more
With maple syrup tariff, Canada-U.S. trade dispute spills beyond metals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Toronto | Reuters — Canada’s retaliation against U.S. President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs includes proposed duties on U.S. maple syrup, a nod to a national symbol and a powerful industry in Quebec that could hurt producers in Maine. While small in dollar value, the tariff shows how Canada’s retaliation has turned a dispute […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Profit-taking, trade war fears upend CME hogs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures closed lower on Thursday, rocked by profit-taking amid worries that pork could suffer from retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., traders said. June hogs closed 0.7 cents/lb. lower at 76.625 cents (all figures US$). July ended 2.075 cents lower at 78.05 cents. Mexico threatened to reciprocate with […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans climb on hopes for renewed demand from China
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. soybean futures scaled to a 2-1/2-week high on Wednesday as signs of renewed Chinese demand for U.S. exports lifted prices for a fourth straight session. Corn reached a 9-1/2 month peak on concerns about planting and early crop development due to adverse weather, while wheat extended prior-session gains as dry […] Read more
U.S. pushing for NAFTA deal ahead of Thursday deadline
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The United States is still pushing for a deal to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the White House said on Wednesday, while a top Mexican official held out the possibility of an agreement in the coming weeks. President Donald Trump is committed to getting a better agreement with […] Read more
NAFTA talks drag on as U.S., Mexico spar over autos
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — Top-level talks to update the North American Free Trade Agreement made little headway on Wednesday as the U.S. and Mexico sought to settle differences over the key issue of automobiles, three well-placed sources said. With time fast running out to reach a deal, the two NAFTA members are discussing a U.S. […] Read more
China customs expanding checks on U.S. fruit imports
Reading Time: 3 minutes Beijing/Chicago | Reuters –– China’s major ports of entry have ramped up checks on fresh fruit imports from the U.S., five Chinese industry sources said, which could delay shipments from U.S. growers already dealing with higher tariffs as Sino-U.S. trade ties worsen. Fruits were among 128 U.S. goods that China slapped with more expensive import […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
