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Bill Tomson

Bill Tomson
Senior Trade Editor

bill@agri-pulse.com

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EU’s ag trade barriers firmly in the crosshairs

08/01/18 6:40 AM By Bill Tomson

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It was more than two months ago, in early May, when Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross sat down on a Tuesday morning with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in his second-floor office suite at USDA headquarters to discuss how they could push the Europeans into lowering trade barriers on U.S. farm commodities.

Perdue pushes for inclusion of ag in US-EU trade talks

07/30/18 4:38 PM By Bill Tomson

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Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue was adamant in his comments to reporters today that the myriad ag issues that separate the U.S. and European Union be negotiated in upcoming trade talks, but EU officials again said that wouldn’t happen.

Lighthizer: China trade battles could take years, but Mexico deal very close

07/26/18 3:53 PM By Bill Tomson

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The U.S.-China trade war could drag on for years, but a U.S. agreement with Mexico on rewriting the North American Free Trade Agreement could happen as soon as August, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said today in a Senate hearing.

US, EU agree to steps to improve trade and end tariffs

07/25/18 7:15 PM By Bill Tomson

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President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed to new negotiations today aimed at ending the trade war in a deal that would somehow result in Europeans buying more U.S. soybeans.

China takes key step in unlocking rice trade with US

07/25/18 6:55 AM By Bill Tomson

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U.S. rice millers don't normally allow visitors into their facilities, but they made an exception last month when a Chinese delegation came calling.

USDA unveils $12B plan to help farmers suffering from tariffs

07/25/18 1:26 AM By Bill Tomson

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The USDA on Tuesday rolled out an outline of a $12 billion assistance plan amid growing anger from lawmakers and farm groups over the impacts of foreign tariffs on farm commodities.

USDA earmarking $12B in trade assistance

07/24/18 1:09 PM By Bill Tomson

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USDA officials are scrambling to put together a presentation on an assistance program to help mitigate the tens of billions of dollars in damage that’s expected to be done to farmers and ranchers as a result of the Trump administration’s multifront trade war with China, Mexico, Canada, the European Union and elsewhere.

Farm groups rail against Trump’s tariffs

07/18/18 5:26 PM By Bill Tomson

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Farm group leaders and lawmakers railed against President Donald Trump’s trade policy and tariffs in a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing today, bemoaning the effects on the ag sector as China, Mexico, Canada, the European Union, Turkey and others retaliate.

Trump administration to farmers: Hold fast in rough times ahead

07/18/18 7:06 AM By Bill Tomson

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The Trump administration dispatched two of its top trade officials to meet with farm groups last week and the message was straightforward: The trade war that has generated tens of billions of dollars in tariffs on U.S. farm commodities isn’t likely to be over soon, and the ag sector needs to prepare for a lot more pain.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May

Trump and UK Prime Minister affirm plans for trade pact

07/13/18 3:26 PM By Bill Tomson

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President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May today forcefully stressed that the United States and United Kingdom plan to enter into a free-trade agreement after Britain’s planned exit from the European Union next year.

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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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