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
Trump administration scales back U.S. water protections
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
CBOT weekly outlook: Headlines, geopolitics drive prices
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — To Terry Reilly, about the only things driving the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) are headlines and geopolitics developments. “Traders are trading headlines,” Reilly, an analyst for Futures International in Chicago, said in reference to the latest developments in U.S.-China trade talks. Reports on Wednesday morning said the two countries were close to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy rises on trade hopes
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose on Wednesday, buoyed by renewed optimism about a U.S.-China trade deal as well as some bargain buying, traders said. Corn futures were lower, giving up early gains on technical selling, while wheat futures firmed after two days of sharp declines. Investors were reassured by a Bloomberg report […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
