President Donald Trump continues to delay the start date for higher tariffs on U.S. trading partners. After speaking with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump is now punting the start date for possible higher tariffs on the European Union.
On Friday the president complained about the slow pace of U.S.-EU negotiations and said the bloc could face “a straight 50%” tariff as soon as June 1. But on Sunday, after a phone call with von der Leyen, Trump said the tariffs wouldn’t start before July 9 — the same day his temporary pause on country-specific reciprocal tariffs is set to end.
Under those plans, the EU was set to face a 20% reciprocal tariff rate.
“She said she wants to get down to serious negotiation,” Trump told reporters Sunday. “We had a very nice call, and I agreed to move it.”
International Trade Commission to probe global nonfat milk solids market
The U.S. International Trade Commission is going to investigate the global market for nonfat milk solids, used in protein concentrates, skimmed milk powder and infant formula.
The probe comes just two months after dairy industry groups from Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. accused Canada of dumping low-priced dairy protein products onto world markets. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wrote to the commission last month to order an investigation.
“The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council have worked closely with the U.S. government to spotlight Canada’s persistent attempts to circumvent both international trade rules and its obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” Jaime Castaneda, NMPF executive vice president for policy development and strategy, told Agri-Pulse via email.
A hearing is set for July 28.
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Take note: Section 332 probes are fact-finding exercises and do not typically include policy recommendations. They are intended to provide Congress and administrations with market analysis to shape future policy, but can serve as a springboard for further trade actions.
Lawmakers seek continued funding for agricultural research programs
A bipartisan group of 30 House members and senators is appealing to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for continued investment in agricultural research.
In a letter, the lawmakers cite studies indicating public investment in agricultural research has resulted in annual rates of return of between 20% and 60%.
Capacity programs that fund experts in land-grant universities “are instrumental to training the next generation of American leaders that will advance agricultural productivity, national security, and the health of all Americans," the lawmakers say.
They also say USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is “key to fostering new technologies” and sees funding demands that far exceed available resources.
Trump admin seeks stay of reorganization injunction in 9th Circuit
The Trump administration is continuing to fight a lower court order halting reorganization efforts at federal agencies, including USDA.
The administration is focusing its efforts at the appeals court level, however, after withdrawing its request that the Supreme Court put a hold on the order.
The withdrawal came Friday, the day after U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who serves in the Northern District of California, elevated her temporary restraining order to a preliminary injunction. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the Supreme Court in a letter the next day that the government had filed a motion in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals requesting a stay.
On Saturday the appeals court ordered the plaintiffs to respond to the emergency request by today. The government can choose to reply on Thursday, May 29.
Plaintiffs include federal employee unions, professional societies, local governments and environmental groups. The Northeast Organic Farming Association is among them.
AMS to buy seafood, fruits and vegetables for nutrition assistance
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service plans to buy up to $67 million in fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables from domestic producers that will go to food banks and nutrition assistance programs.
The department announced the Section 32 purchases Friday. In this fiscal year, USDA has provided more than $600 million worth of purchases under the program, the department’s press release said.
AMS will buy $20 million of Atlantic groundfish, $14 million of canned pears, $14 million of great northern beans, $16 million of Pacific pink shrimp and $3 million of dried sweet cherries.
Final word
“Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that public investment in agricultural research has resulted in annual rates of return between 20% and 60%. These are real economic benefits felt on the farm and across communities large and small.” — About 30 senators and House members in a bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., emphasizing the importance of National Institute of Food and Agriculture capacity-building grants for universities.
Rebekah Alvey, Oliver Ward and Noah Wicks contributed to today’s Daybreak.
