WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a revamp of the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement that includes tougher rules on labor and automotive content but leaves $1.2 trillion in annual U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade flows largely unchanged. The legislation to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement passed on an 89-10 bipartisan vote, sending […] Read more
Author Archives
EU Commission bans Bayer thiacloprid pesticide linked to harming bees
BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Commission decided on Monday not to renew approval for a pesticide linked to harming bees, effectively banning Bayer’s insecticide known as thiacloprid. The decision follows approval by a majority of EU governments in October last year, based on a proposal from the Commission, the bloc’s executive. “There are environmental concerns […] Read more
Phase 1 commodity targets likely more than China can chew – analysts
BEIJING/SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – Commodity traders and analysts are struggling to map out how China will reach the eye-popping amounts it is committing to buy from the United States under Phase 1 of their trade deal. China has pledged to buy $50 billion more in U.S. energy supplies, and will raise U.S. agriculture purchases by some $32 billion […] Read more
China to ramp up U.S. ag purchases in trade deal
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – China has pledged to buy almost $80 billion of additional manufactured goods from the United States over the next two years as part of a trade war truce, according to a source, a target that could provide a much-needed boost for planemaker Boeing but is being questioned by U.S. trade experts. Under […] Read more
A lot of soy, a little rice: China’s historical U.S. agricultural purchases
(Reuters) – The United States and China are due to sign a Phase 1 trade deal on Jan. 15 that U.S. officials have said will include a vow by China to buy an additional $32 billion in U.S. farm goods over the next two years. China has not confirmed Trump’s goal of $40 billion to […] Read more
Hopes for spike in U.S. farm exports to China dim ahead of trade deal signing
CHICAGO/BEIJING, (Reuters) – Days before a U.S.-China trade deal is due to be signed, large Chinese purchases of Brazilian soybeans and a pair of unexpected policy moves by Beijing have dimmed U.S. hopes that China would double its imports of American farm products this year. U.S. President Donald Trump has touted the prospect of China […] Read more
Cargill, Bunge lead Brazil grain shipments in 2019 – shipping data
SAO PAULO, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Cargill was the largest exporter of soybean and corn from Brazil last year, with combined shipments totaling more than 17 million tonnes for the U.S.-based merchant, according to data released on Thursday by maritime agency Cargonave. Cargill was followed closely by rival by Bunge, which shipped almost 15 million […] Read more
China approves two more GMO crops
BEIJING (Reuters) — China approved two new genetically modified (GM) crops for import on Dec. 30 that could boost agricultural purchases from the United States, while renewing permits for 10 others, the Chinese agriculture ministry said. In December, Beijing and Washington announced a Phase 1 trade deal, under which China has agreed to import more […] Read more
New pesticide use zones anger French farmers
PARIS, France (Reuters) — The French government has established safe distances for pesticide spreading on crops near homes in an attempt to settle a heated debate between farmers and environmentalists but managing to anger both groups at once. From Jan. 1, there must be a five-metre gap between sprayed fields and housing for shorter crops […] Read more
China plans to issue biosafety certificates to domestic GM soybean, corn
BEIJING (Reuters) — China’s agriculture ministry said Dec. 30 it plans to issue biosafety certificates to a domestically grown, genetically modified (GM) soybean crop and two corn crops, in a move towards commercializing GM grain production in the world’s top market. China will grant the certificate to SHZD32-01 soybean developed by Shanghai Jiaotong University, provided […] Read more
