Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced a goal for biofuels to make up 30 per cent of U.S. transportation fuels by 2050, a move that could bolster an industry that has been otherwise battered by the Trump administration. Refineries are currently required to blend 20.09 billion gallons of biofuel […] Read more
Trump’s ag department sets 30 per cent biofuel goal for 2050
India offers U.S. dairy, chicken access in bid for elusive trade deal
Reading Time: 3 minutes New Delhi/Washington | Reuters — India has offered to partially open up its poultry and dairy markets in a bid for a limited trade deal during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first official visit to the country this month, people familiar with the protracted talks say. India, the world’s largest milk-producing nation, has traditionally restricted dairy […] Read more
Trump administration scales back U.S. water protections
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration finalized a rule on Thursday to pare back the types of waterways protected from pollution under federal law, easing burdens on industries such as agriculture and mining but angering environmental groups. The Navigable Waters Protection Rule could win political points ahead of the November election for Republican President […] Read more
No need for more U.S. farm aid after China deal, Perdue says
Reading Time: 2 minutes Austin | Reuters — With China poised to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural goods this year as part of a Phase One trade deal, the U.S. agriculture secretary said on Monday there is no need for a third year of trade-related aid for farmers. Farmers have increasingly relied on aid from the U.S. government to […] Read more
U.S. Senate passes CUSMA trade deal
Reading Time: < 1 minute Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a revamp of the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement that includes tougher rules on labour and automotive content but leaves US$1.2 trillion in annual U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade flows largely unchanged. The legislation for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (CUSMA) passed on an 89-10 bipartisan vote, sending the […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Trading cautious on Phase One pact
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Though China and the United States signed their Phase One trade deal on Wednesday, commodity markets remained “extremely cautious,” according to one analyst. Prices were muted at midday following a signing ceremony at the White House, due to the lack of public details regarding the deal. The market is “preparing for disappointment,” according […] Read more
U.S., China reset trade relationship with Phase One agreement
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The United States and China announced an initial trade deal on Wednesday that will roll back some tariffs and boost Chinese purchases of U.S. goods and services, defusing an 18-month conflict between the world’s two largest economies. Beijing and Washington have portrayed their “Phase One” agreement as a momentous step after […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Trade optimistic ahead of Phase One signing
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Agriculture commodities on the Chicago Board of Trade started the decade on a high note, thanks to general optimism regarding an impending trade deal between the U.S. and China. Phase One of the trade deal between the two countries is set to be signed at the White House on Jan. 15, according to […] Read more
U.S. won’t levy new tariffs on Brazil, Trump tells Bolsonaro
Reading Time: < 1 minute Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump told him in a phone conversation that his administration will not levy new tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum as threatened earlier this month. “I had a phone conversation a few moments ago with Donald Trump. … He […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, wheat, soy rally on China trade hopes
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn, wheat and soybean futures rose on Thursday on fresh export demand and renewed hopes for a trade agreement with China after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that a deal with Beijing was “very close,” analysts said. Chicago Board of Trade March corn futures settled up 6-1/2 cents at $3.77-3/4 […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
