Trade
Because ag retail is deeply affected by USMCA implementation, ARA submitted a letter supporting a renewal of USMCA for a full 16-year term
A new report spotlights how agricultural acquisitions and business strategy linked to the Chinese government have amassed production and power, and it’s being called into question by policy thinktank America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
Growers say they remain cautiously optimistic and believe the U.S. is “headed in the right direction.” But they want the gridlock with China to end and for actual steps to be taken to get their crops sold and shipped.
ARA Applauds the Department of the Interior on Potash and Phosphate Critical Minerals List Inclusion
“These designations are a major step forward for American agriculture and supply chain resilience,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.
USMCA has been a boon for the American meat, livestock and poultry sector, along with the broader American food and agriculture economy and ancillary industries, The Meat Institute says in comments to the USTR.
Strong production numbers and government policies support the thesis of higher costs for longer.
The announcement Beijing is buying soybeans marks a crucial step toward achieving some market stability for U.S. growers in the near term and hope for the future. USDA’s Vaden says the purchase ‘represents a floor and not a ceiling,’ while ag economists offer a mix of optimism and caution.
As a handful of corporations influences more of the agricultural supply chain, row crop growers say they are left with fewer input choices, higher prices and diminishing control over their own operations.
As the two countries battle over trade tariffs, China reportedly buys three cargoes of U.S. soybeans, its first purchase in months.
On Wednesday, Secretary Rollins announced a plan for American ranchers and consumers as Trump posted comments on social media regarding tariff impact on beef prices.
The senior senator from Iowa says the president ‘has to’ get an agreement made that will enable trade between China and the U.S. to resume.
As Jed Bower takes the helm at NCGA, he is working to expand market opportunities in the U.S. and abroad, and looking for practical ways to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers.
As farmers harvest their 2025 crop, post-harvest logistics are growing in complexity as elevators fill, river levels are low and trade destinations are unknown.
While the Trump administration weighs an economic bailout for farmers that would use tariff income, groups like ASA continue to press for better market opportunities and a trade deal with China, in particular.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but we might not see it completely turn around for two to three years,” says Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky ag economist.
“I’ve had conversations with lawmakers on the hill, counterparts in the white house and across the cabinet. We are putting together options from A to Z, so when the President decides it’s time, we can step in,” she says.
New survey gives a pulse of the current farm economy, deteriorating conditions, and what it could mean in the coming months.
As farmers think about 2026 cropping plans, step one is to book fall fertilizer. However, those plans are leading to challenging discussions about profitability and what can be applied as a bare minimum.
Steve Censky, chief executive officer of the American Soybean Association, says unless China buys soybeans soon, they may be looking at aid similar to the Market Facilitation Program used back in 2018-19 during the last trade war.
ARA and TFI Praise Trump Administration’s Recognition of Potash as Critical, Push Same for Phosphate
“Over half of all global phosphate production occurs in China and Russia,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.
The Chinese government is continuing to instruct importers to avoid purchasing U.S. soybeans. Until that changes, soybean prices are likely to remain low.
Joe Glauber, senior research fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute, says the trade imbalance may not be as concerning as it looks on the surface.
Veronia Nigh, economist at The Fertilizer Institute, says there are three key drivers in fertilizer right now.
On Saturday, President Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1. The announcement came after a string of new tariff threats last week.
The thought in some ag circles is that the One Big Beautiful Bill is a farm bill prototype or laying the groundwork for its development. Farmers and Sen. John Boozman weigh in with their perspectives.
On Monday, 14 countries received letters indicating tariff increases of 25% to 40%, including Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, President Trump extended the implementation date for those tariffs to Aug. 1
The deal, according to President Trump, allows the U.S. “total access” to Vietnam’s markets with a zero tariff on U.S. products exported to Vietnam.
Two studies illuminate food prices for the holiday barbecue season.
Fertilizer prices have been on a steady climb, despite grain prices continuing to lag. Josh Linville with Stone X points to the driving force: Global production is lagging behind demand.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins was questioned by several House Ag Committee members about USDA’s cuts, including the impact of the 6,000 DOGE firings at the agency, that were later reinstated by the court.