Ottawa | Reuters — Two Canadian citizens who were detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days have left Chinese airspace and will arrive back in Canada early on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Friday. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were picked up in December 2018, shortly after Vancouver police arrested Huawei Technologies […] Read more

‘Two Michaels’ have left China, Trudeau says
Huawei CFO en route back to China

Huawei executive, U.S. reach deal to dismiss charges
Meng Wanzhou would be allowed to leave Canada
Updated, Sept. 24 — Reuters — Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou has reached an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, U.S. prosecutors said on Friday, a move that should allow her to leave Canada and relieve a point of tension between China and the United States. Meng was […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat firms on global supply issues
Oats also push corn higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures firmed on Thursday, strengthened by global supply concerns and a firming oat futures market on drought-stricken North American supplies. Corn and soybeans edged higher, supported by wheat and oats. The most-active wheat contract on the Chicago Board Of Trade (CBOT) added 12 cents to $7.17-3/4 a bushel (all […] Read more

CBOT oats climb on supply woes
Prairie drought eats at availability
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade December oats futures climbed their daily maximum of 25 cents per bushel on Wednesday, nearing a 7-1/2 hear high, after drought slashed supplies from top global supplier Canada at a time of robust demand for the grain, traders said. The December oats contract surged 25 cents to […] Read more

Taiwan applies to join Pacific trade pact week after China
Taipei | Reuters — Taiwan has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the government said Wednesday, less than a week after China said it too had submitted an application. Taiwan has been angling to join the grouping for a while and had already been discussing the issue informally […] Read more

Supply/demand pushing up flax prices
Corrected, Sept. 23 — MarketsFarm — Prices for flax have skyrocketed in 2021, as the amount to be harvested has fallen while demand has increased, according to Dale McManus of Johnston’s Seeds at Welwyn, Sask. Johnston’s was paying $38 per bushel for golden flax picked up off of the farm, he said, and brown flax […] Read more

U.S. extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico borders
Washington | Reuters — The United States on Monday extended restrictions at its land borders with Canada and Mexico through Oct. 21 that bar nonessential travel such as tourism by foreigners despite Ottawa’s decision to open its border to vaccinated Americans. Canada on Aug. 9 began allowing fully vaccinated U.S. visitors for nonessential travel. The […] Read more

China applies to join Trans-Pacific trade pact
Second-biggest economy seeks to add to economic clout
Updated, Sept. 17 — Beijing | Reuters — Japan said it would have to determine if China meets the “extremely high standards” of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after the world’s second-biggest economy formally applied to join. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao submitted China’s application to join the free trade agreement in […] Read more

CP, Kansas City lock in new deal as CN steps out
More efficient flow of grain, perishables, machinery parts touted
Canadian Pacific Railway and U.S. railway Kansas City Southern on Wednesday again formalized their engagement after competing suitor Canadian National Railway walked away from the table. CP and KCS, which reported “unanimous” support from both companies’ boards, have entered a merger agreement committing CP to pay about $31 billion in cash and stock, or about […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans climb
Wheat up on global supply concerns
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures climbed on Wednesday, supported by strength in the crude oil market and firming wheat futures. Wheat climbed as Russia joined France and Canada this week in reducing its production forecast for wheat at a time of strong global demand. Soybeans firmed, though gains were limited as canceled exports […] Read more