Articles by Bill Tomson

USMCA moves closer to year-end deal

12/09/19 5:35 PM By Bill Tomson

The Trump administration on Monday moved closer to getting a deal for its renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement as pressure increases from lawmakers and farm groups for a year-end ratification vote.

US and Mexico reportedly send USMCA proposal to Pelosi

12/07/19 3:17 PM By Bill Tomson

A proposal for a deal on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement has been sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after top U.S. and Mexican negotiators met again Saturday in Washington, according to a Bloomberg report.

USMCA talks to continue after marathon Friday session

US, Mexico continue ‘difficult’ negotiations

12/06/19 10:31 PM By Bill Tomson

Two of the highest-level trade officials representing the U.S. and Mexico worked through the day Friday and into the night trying to reach an agreement on the replacement to the North American Free Trade Agreement, but fell short of a deal that both countries could accept.

China agrees to lift some soy, pork import tariffs

12/06/19 10:28 AM By Bill Tomson

China is going to lift tariffs to allow in more U.S. soybeans and pork, according to Xinhua News, a government-run media outlet, though it's unclear how much of the U.S. commodities will be allowed in, or for how long.

Trump injects new uncertainty over a prolonged China trade war

12/04/19 6:48 AM By Bill Tomson

President Donald Trump’s latest claim that he might push back a trade pact with China until after the 2020 elections has unleashed a new wave of uncertainty for America’s farmers who had been counting on promises that a resolution to the trade war was imminent.

Japan’s parliament approves trade deal

12/04/19 6:35 AM By Sara Wyant and Bill Tomson

Japan’s Upper House approved a new trade pact with the U.S. on Wednesday, paving the way for lower tariffs on U.S. beef, almonds, walnuts, sorghum and other agricultural products early next year.

Trump: China trade deal might not happen until after 2020 elections

12/03/19 10:46 AM By Bill Tomson

A U.S.-China trade deal may not be finalized until late next year after the 2020 elections, President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday during a visit to London.

Trump’s South American tariff threat looms over new Brazil ties

12/02/19 1:50 PM By Bill Tomson

President Donald Trump announced Monday the U.S. will be restoring tariffs on Brazilian and Argentine steel and aluminum, potentially disrupting the recently improving U.S. trade relationships with Brazil.

House Dems split, but narrowing on USMCA

11/20/19 6:44 AM By Bill Tomson

President Donald Trump has said there are enough Democratic votes in the House to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and lawmakers like Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, agree, but there are still deep reservations by some over how to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

South Korea agrees to quota for US rice

11/20/19 6:15 AM By Bill Tomson

After years of negotiation, South Korea has agreed to U.S. demands to set up a quota to ensure imports of U.S. rice, the Trump administration announced Tuesday.

USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey

This week’s guest on Open Mic is USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey. Few years have presented as many weather challenges for farmers as 2019. USDA’s Farm Service Agency has acted to lessen the effects on crop and livestock farmers as well as facilitated the Trump administration's trade assistance programs. In this interview, Northey speaks to the new signup for the Conservation Reserve Program, upcoming deadlines under the 2018 farm bill and the possibility of a third tranche of payments next year under the Market Facilitation Program.

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Opinions

Opinion: Blocking glyphosate is a recipe for disaster

Alfredo Gutierrez is an agronomist and fifth-generation dairy farmer in the central region of Mexico, where he is in charge of animal health and nutrition, equipment, technology, and crop production. In this opinion piece, he discusses the repercussions of blocking glyphosate.