US Wheat Delegation in Brazil to Gauge Import Demand Under Quota
Reuters– 04/15/2019
A delegation representing the United States wheat industry is visiting Brazil this week to talk to millers and food industries to gauge potential for higher import demand once a tariff-free quota is implemented, a local wheat group told Reuters on Monday. Rubens Barbosa, president of Brazil’s wheat milling association Abitrigo, said he met the head of U.S. Wheat Associates, Vincent Peterson, and the chief executive of the Kansas Wheat Commission, Justin Gilpin, on Monday to discuss the U.S.-Brazil wheat trade.
Canadian Ambassador: We Need USMCA Trump Approach ‘Disruptive’
AgWeek– 04/15/2019
Canadian Ambassador David MacNaughton was blunt: Canada is an excellent neighbor and ally, and a crucial trading partner. But the Trump administration’s “disruptive” approach to trade threatens that, to both countries’ risk. He urged that the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, the successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement, be approved quickly. “I can’t understand why you want to say no to an improvement in the status quo,” he said. MacNaughton spoke April 8 in Washington, D.C., during the annual convention of the North American Agricultural Journalists, which has members in both Canada and the United States. The terms of USMCA has been approved, but the agreement still must be ratified by the U.S. Congress and the British and Mexican parliaments.
US Farmers Fear China Deal will Leave Them Worse Off than Before Trade War
Bloomberg – 04/15/2019
Some U.S. farm groups fear that President Donald Trump’s terms for easing his trade war with China risk leaving large swaths of American agriculture worse off than before the conflict began. Many producers are alarmed by signs that the administration would accept Chinese purchase target pledges for commodities like soybeans and pork without a promise to lift retaliatory tariffs, said industry representatives, some of whom spoke only on condition of anonymity to avoid consequences for publicly criticizing the administration.“This is of great concern to producers out here facing another year of tariffs,” said Mark Powers, president of the Northwest Horticultural Council, which represents cherry, pear and apple growers in the Pacific Northwest. “We’re disappointed. Clearly the priority lies elsewhere.”
Japan and U.S. Kick Off First Day of Trade Talks with Focus on Cutting Tariffs on Goods
The Japan Times- 04/16/2019
Japan and the United States agreed Monday to focus mainly on tariffs on goods such as agricultural and industrial products as they started negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, according to economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi.Speaking to reporters after the first day of a two-day meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington, Motegi signaled his opposition to the potential inclusion of a currency provision in any trade deal. He said currency matters should be handled by the respective finance ministers. Motegi said he and Lighthizer affirmed they will conduct negotiations in line with an agreement struck between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump last September. The agreement said the two governments “will enter into negotiations … for a Japan-United States trade agreement on goods, as well as on other key areas including services, that can produce early achievements.”
Lack of 2019 Spring Wheat Planting
The Progressive Farmer – 04/08/2019
March 13 blizzard buried much of the Dakotas and parts of western Minnesota. This storm was on top of an already record-breaking or near-record snowfall in February in those three states. As spring arrived (or tried to arrive), snow remained throughout most of those areas where farmers continue to wait to ready their fields for spring wheat planting. While North Dakota and northwest Minnesota farmers have final insurance plant dates of May 31 and June 5, South Dakota final plant dates are May 5 and May 15. During the week ended April 5, I asked farmers and elevator managers if anyone is panicking as the final plant clocks tick away.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates