Articles by Bill Tomson

New US-China talks follow 17 months of chaos

09/11/19 6:34 AM By Bill Tomson

The trade war between the U.S. and China could go on for months or years, according to erratic statements from the White House, but for the first time in weeks, there is renewed optimism because China has agreed to new negotiations.

US-China talks to resume in October

09/05/19 11:32 AM By Bill Tomson

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Top U.S. and Chinese negotiators will meet in Washington next month to pick up on talks to try to end the trade war that is weighing heavily on U.S. farmers and manufacturers, according to Xinhua News, a Chinese government-run media outlet.

Dem candidates take aim at Trump’s China trade war

09/04/19 6:27 AM By Bill Tomson

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Democratic presidential hopefuls are raising alarms and lashing out at President Donald Trump’s handling of the dispute that’s expected to escalate even further next month.

Japan trade deal still taking shape

09/04/19 6:20 AM By Bill Tomson

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White House officials are telling the U.S. ag sector that they are going to win big in the miniature trade pact announced on Aug. 25 after Presidents Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the annual G7 summit, but details are either not being divulged or haven’t yet been nailed down, government and industry sources tell Agri-Pulse.

Trump: US-China trade talks will resume

08/26/19 2:06 PM By Bill Tomson

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The U.S. and China are set to begin trade talks again after a tumultuous week of tension-escalating threats of new tariffs and tariff-rate increases that roiled international markets and alarmed the U.S. ag sector.

Trump confirms Japan ag trade deal

08/25/19 3:38 PM By Bill Tomson

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President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the U.S. and Japan have reached a preliminary deal to lower Japanese tariffs and increase market share for U.S. agricultural commodities. The deal, as reported Saturday by Agri-Pulse, is already being lauded as a success for farmers by major U.S. ag groups.

US and Japan reach deal on ag trade

08/24/19 11:00 AM By Bill Tomson

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U.S. and Japanese negotiators have reached an “agreement in principle” on a trade deal that would lower Japan’s tariffs on U.S. agricultural commodities and spare Japan from threatened U.S. industrial tariffs, sources — confirming reports out of Japan — tell Agri-Pulse.

Trump announces US tariff hike in latest trade war escalation

Decision comes after Chinese tariff increase Friday morning

08/23/19 5:57 PM By Bill Tomson

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The U.S.-China trade war escalated again for the second time Friday after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. would increase rates for existing tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods as well as boost tariffs on $300 billion worth of imports that haven’t yet been levied.

China to hit US ag with increased tariffs

08/23/19 12:13 PM By Bill Tomson

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China announced Friday it will increase tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and other goods by 5-10% in retaliation for U.S. plans to hit about $300 billion worth of Chinese exports with new import taxes.

Trump with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He April 4 2019

China issues new warning on tariff retaliation

08/22/19 2:11 PM By Bill Tomson

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China on Thursday issued a stern new warning that it will be forced to retaliate if the U.S. follows through on a threat to levy new import tariffs, beginning Sept. 1.

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June 07, 2026

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: USDA Undersecretary Dr. Scott Hutchins

This week's Open Mic guest is Dr. Scott Hutchins, Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hutchins says the USDA's Proving Grounds for Network for AgTech will help farmers adopt technologies to improve production and boost efficiency. Hutchins says the USDA restructuring will streamline operations, strengthen leadership accountability and position resources closer to the ag communities USDA serves.

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06.05.2026

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Karen Ross on California agriculture, water, MAHA, Prop 12

California agriculture operates at a scale and under conditions unlike anywhere else in the country, yet the policy decisions extend far beyond state lines. We spent the week in Sacramento for the annual Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West and caught up with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross to discuss the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping California agriculture, and why the rest of the country should be paying attention to the Golden State.

Plus, Ag Council of California President Emily Rooney outlines concerning plastic and packaging regulations and Chris Zanobini, president and CEO of Ag Association Management Services Inc., describes the "regulatory jenga" plaguing California agriculture.

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