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Canada’s House of Commons and Senate went into overdrive Friday and rushed through votes to approve implementing legislation for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement before going on recess amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

Federal agencies are cutting travel and preparing to operate with staff disruptions because of the coronavirus outbreak, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue signaled that he’s open to expanding feeding programs if Congress gives him the legal authority. 

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro did last week what many well-to-do Brazilians do. He went to Florida. But unlike most tourists, he stopped at Mar-a-Lago for a friendly meeting with President Donald Trump.

The Market Facilitation Program has made a significant difference in liquidity for many farms across the country, including Midwest grain operations as well as cotton and rice growers, but many farms are still likely to end this year with negative ending cash, according to an analysis of the trade assistance.

The Department of Agriculture recently released a plan that would allow for a nationwide hog standstill in the event of a potential outbreak of African Swine Fever in the United States.

China is continuing to follow through on promises to remove non-tariff barriers to U.S. farm commodities, according to a new compilation of goals that China agreed to in the “phase one” agreement that went into effect last month.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who insists he’s optimistic about a farm economy rebound this year, faces a pair of congressional hearings this week where he is certain to face further grilling about trade prospects and future of the Market Facilitation Program.

Chinese importers have been applying for — and getting — tariff exemptions to buy U.S. dairy products as a result of the “phase one” trade agreement, U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Tom Vilsack tells Agri-Pulse.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says there is less than a 10% chance that farmers will get more Market Facilitation Program payments this year and that China is sending “signals” it intends to honor its pledges to ramp up purchases of U.S. farm commodities.

China is still battling to contain coronavirus infections, but the U.S. ag sector is taking heart in signs that industry there is coming back to life in time for trade to resume under the “phase one” trade deal.