Articles by Bill Tomson

WTO dispute system may be heading toward crisis and ag could suffer

04/25/18 6:25 AM By Bill Tomson

A crisis is looming for the World Trade Organization’s dispute resolution system as the Trump administration presses the international body to reform its ways and the U.S. ag sector could be a casualty in the coming showdown.

USA Rice says Brazilian shipments hurting US farmers

04/18/18 6:45 AM By Bill Tomson

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Brazil, known and often reviled in the U.S. ag sector for its successful World Trade Organization challenge to U.S. cotton support programs, is now suspected breaking WTO rules by subsidizing its rice exports.

Argentina, Europe buying up US soybeans as China shies away

04/18/18 6:39 AM By Bill Tomson

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The budding U.S.-China trade war has thrown the international soybean market into turmoil, but so far traders are working to manage the chaos.

Trump orders USTR to work on potential re-entry into TPP

04/12/18 5:15 PM By Bill Tomson

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President Donald Trump signaled today that he’s serious about the U.S. rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a means to counteract China’s growing influence and leadership along the Pacific Rim.

Almond farmers brace for Chinese tariff

04/11/18 6:45 AM By Bill Tomson

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U.S. almond farmers were just starting to put behind them a port strike three years ago that decimated exports, and now they are bracing for the impacts of a new 15 percent Chinese tariff that's just one aspect of the burgeoning U.S.-China trade war.

President Donald Trump and Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue

Trump mulls more tariffs on China; Perdue vows to protect ag from trade war

04/05/18 10:40 PM By Bill Tomson

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President Donald Trump signaled today he’s willing to significantly up the ante in the escalating trade fight with China by proposing an additional $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue released a statement shortly afterwards, doubling down on his recent promises to protect farmers and ranchers from becoming collateral damage in the spat.

USDA working to devise emergency aid to counter Chinese tariffs

04/04/18 6:00 PM By Bill Tomson

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USDA officials are working under increasing pressure to devise programs to help compensate farmers for expected losses due to new Chinese tariffs, but the complexity of the task is daunting, say government officials.

China fires back again as trade tensions escalate

04/04/18 7:48 AM By Bill Tomson and Sara Wyant

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In the latest salvo of trade actions between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced plans today to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of U.S. goods, including soybeans, aircraft and automobiles, according to the Chinese News Agency, Xinhua.

US-China trade aggression threatens rice deal

04/04/18 7:00 AM By Bill Tomson

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U.S. rice farmers and millers are climbing one of the final obstacles to gaining access to China’s massive import market, but there isn’t much celebrating going on. That’s because the two countries have come to the brink of an all-out trade war and it's looking like rice trade may become just one more casualty.

Could India be the Trump administration’s first FTA?

04/04/18 6:46 AM By Bill Tomson

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The question of which country will be the first to sit down for serious negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement with the U.S. under the Trump administration is still wide open, but India is likely a top candidate.

Newsmakers

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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers

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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