Beijing/Washington | Reuters — The United States and China cooled their trade war on Friday, announcing a “phase one” agreement that reduces some U.S. tariffs in exchange for increased Chinese purchases of U.S. farm goods. Chinese officials offered no specific details on the amount of U.S. agricultural goods Beijing had agreed to buy, a key […] Read more
Chinese officials, Trump agree to tariff rollbacks
U.S. grains: Soybeans slide, nearing support at US$9
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell to their lowest in almost two months on Thursday as uncertainty about progress in U.S.-China trade talks overshadowed support from stronger-than-expected weekly U.S. export sales, analysts said. Wheat futures also declined, backing down from a two-week high, but corn futures rose on signs of improving export and […] Read more
CN to cut management, union jobs
Reuters — Canadian National Railway said on Friday it would cut management and union jobs, as the largest Canadian railroad operator grapples with an economic slowdown. The company will lay off 1,600 employees in the U.S. and Canada, according to a report by the Globe and Mail. The announcement comes amid declining freight volumes as […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans up on increased optimism for trade deal
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures crawled higher on Friday on increased optimism that the U.S. and China may soon strike a deal to ease their trade war. Sentiments improved about the prospects for an agreement after White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Thursday evening that the two sides were “getting close” […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Trade uncertainty weighs
MarketsFarm — Lack of demand for corn exports has continued to drag prices on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and the U.S. dollar has been stronger recently, making exports even less attractive, according to Terry Reilly, a grains analyst with Futures International. In contrast, consistent soybean sales since Monday have provided some support to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans sag on diminishing hopes for China deal
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures slipped on Wednesday on diminishing hopes for a deal to ease the trade war with China that has slowed exports of U.S. agricultural products. The market turned lower after a report that trade negotiations “hit a snag” over farm purchases. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dangled the […] Read more
Industry reacts to divided vote, minority government
Ottawa — A regionally divided federal election resulting in a minority Liberal government leaves a clear challenge for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his caucus colleagues on how to handle the future of agriculture. Trudeau said clearly in his victory speech Monday night that Alberta and Saskatchewan are part of the country and will be […] Read more
Trump’s hailing of Chinese farm purchases seen as ‘meaningless’
Beijing | Reuters — China is still a long way from forking out US$50 billion for farm goods from the United States, agriculture industry analysts said on Monday, cautioning that getting there is contingent on removing substantial technical and political hurdles. Outlining the first phase of a deal to end a trade war with China, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn jumps four per cent
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures surged more than four per cent on Friday while wheat and soybeans also firmed, buoyed by expectations for a partial U.S.-China trade deal and worries about wintry weather threatening crops in the Midwest, analysts said. Chicago Board of Trade December corn settled up 17-1/2 cents at $3.97-3/4 a […] Read more
Hopes for trade breakthrough fade as China cancels U.S. farm visits
Chicago | Reuters — A U.S.-China trade deal appeared elusive on Friday after Chinese officials unexpectedly canceled a visit to farms in Montana and Nebraska amid two days of ongoing talks in Washington. Chinese officials were expected to visit U.S. farmers next week as a goodwill gesture, but canceled to return to China sooner than […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
