Dairy

China Trade Update: U.S. Considering Lifting Tariffs?

According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin discussed lifting some, if not all tariffs on China. He may even offer a tariff rollback during the next round of trade discussions. Those talks are planned to begin January 30th with China's economic chief. The WSJ cited people familiar with internal talks. The Journal said the proposal has not yet been introduced to President Trump. Also, the report stated Mnuchin faced push-back from U.S. Trade Representative Robert...

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Perdue Reopening Several FSA Offices for Just 3 Days

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced many FSA offices across the country will open for three days. In a Tweet, he stated the offices will be open on 1/17 (Thursday), 1/18 (Friday) & 1/22 (Tuesday) to help farmers with existing loans and other limited services. He says USDA will bring back 2,500 employees to work at those FSA offices. The partial government shutdown continues with no end in sight. Congressional Democrats remain opposed to President Trump's demand for...

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Trade Talks Update: Statement Released from U.S. Trade Representative

The U.S. Trade Representative released a statement following three days of meetings in Beijing: Statement on the United States Trade Delegation’s Meetings in Beijing On January 7-9, an official delegation from the United States led by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish held meetings in Beijing with Chinese officials to discuss ways to achieve fairness, reciprocity, and balance in trade relations between our two countries. The officials also discussed the need for any agreement to provide for complete implementation subject to ongoing...

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UPDATE: Where are the 2nd Round of Market Facilitation Payments?

It's on the mind of many producers right now: when will that second round of market facilitation payments be going out? Here's the latest on what we know: United States Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue was scheduled to meet with the White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday to discuss the matter. The payments are delayed right now. We're told it's due to optimism on China buying U.S. soybeans again and out of concerns about the cost of...

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House Passes The 2018 Farm Bill In Landslide Vote

The 2018 Farm Bill crossed the second of three hurdles on Wednesday when the House approved the measure in a landslide vote of 369-47 two days after the final conference report was made public. The bill will head to the Oval Office next. President Trump has previously indicated he will sign the bill. However, timing is unclear. “It is fitting that the House today considers the farm bill because 28 years ago, another proud Texan — President George H.W. Bush — signed...

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