Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

USDA Investments to Address Trade Barriers Expand Market Access

USDA Awards $8.3 Million to Boost International Market Access for U.S. Specialty Crops The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $8.3 million in funding to assist 11 recipients in expanding global market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is part of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program, managed by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). TASC helps …

agricultural trade

Secretary Rollins Announces Plan to Support Trade

USDA Launches Aggressive 3-Point Trade Plan to Put American Agriculture First The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking bold steps to support American agriculture on the global stage. Last week, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg unveiled a new three-point trade strategy aimed at expanding market access, enforcing trade commitments, …

Illinois River

Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade

A Vital Waterway in the Heart of the Midwest The Illinois River has long been an essential part of America’s agricultural history. Stretching 273 miles, the river begins at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee Rivers in the Chicago metropolitan area. From there, it flows southwest across the state of Illinois, eventually joining the mighty Mississippi River near …

Trade discussions between the US and China may have significant impacts to agriculture. Agricultural markets across the Southeast are continuing to react to last week's summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade and agricultural purchases were major topics of discussion. Following the meetings in Beijing, reports indicated China may expand purchases of US agricultural products as part of broader efforts to stabilize trade relations after last year's tariff escalation disrupted export markets and commodity prices. That is especially important for Southeastern agriculture because commodities like cotton, peanuts, poultry, soybeans, and timber products all depend heavily on international demand and export movement. Market analysts say cotton producers in Georgia and Alabama are watching particularly closely since export sales remain one of the biggest drivers of cotton prices. Peanut growers are also monitoring negotiations because trade stability can influence global commodity movement and overall market confidence heading into harvest planning later this year. While no major new tariff rollbacks have been formally announced yet, agricultural groups are looking for signs that China could increase long-term purchasing commitments for American farm products in the coming months. Growers across the Southeast remain cautious, however, because many trade uncertainties that impacted commodity prices over the past two years remain unresolved. /audio Audio Reporting by Josh McGill for Southeast AgNet.

Trade Agreement Talks Between US China Progressing

Trump-Xi Call Unlikely to Move Trade Talks, But TikTok Agreement Signals Possibility A much-anticipated phone call between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for tomorrow, but expectations for a breakthrough on trade are low. While the discussion is unlikely to alter the course of U.S.-China trade relations, some analysts believe any diplomatic engagement is a positive …

usmca

US Canada Mexico Begin Trade Consultations

U.S., Mexico, and Canada Begin Formal Consultations Ahead of 2026 USMCA Review The United States, Canada, and Mexico are officially launching consultations in preparation for the 2026 review of the USMCA trade agreement, according to announcements made Tuesday by U.S. and Mexican officials. “The U.S., Canada and Mexico are set to formally begin consultations ahead of the review of their …

World Commodity supply

USDA Export Estimates For US Corn And Soybeans

USDA Updates 2025 Corn and Soybean Export Forecasts The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released updated forecasts for 2025 corn and soybean exports, offering insights into market trends and expected demand. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski detailed the changes in the USDA’s latest crop report, showing a stronger outlook for corn but a more modest projection for …

ncba

NCBA Testifies At 301 Hearing For Brazil Investigation

NCBA Urges Suspension of Brazilian Beef Imports in Section 301 Investigation The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has taken a strong stance in the ongoing Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, voicing serious concerns about Brazil’s treatment of U.S. beef and long-standing food safety issues. Earlier this week, the U.S. International Trade Commission held a hearing to investigate whether …

pork exports

USMEF Releases Statement on US EU Trade Framework Update

White House Releases US-EU Trade Framework Update with Focus on Agriculture and Market Access The White House has released an updated version of the U.S.–EU Trade Framework, which includes key commitments to improving agricultural trade. These changes are seen as a step forward for U.S. pork, bison, and beef exporters, as the European Union (EU) agrees to reduce non-tariff trade …

wheat exports

Wheat Exports to Rebound in the Year Ahead

U.S. Wheat Exports Forecast to Surge in 2025–2026, Led by Hard Red Winter Wheat The latest data from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Export Sales Database shows a significant boost in U.S. wheat exports for the 2025–2026 marketing year, offering a positive outlook for American wheat producers and exporters. “U.S. wheat exports for 2025–2026 are forecast to increase by 25 …

trade agreement

President Trump Signs Executive Order Extending Tariff Deadline on Chinese Imports

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed a new executive order extending the deadline for imposing higher tariffs on Chinese imports until November 10. This move is the latest in an ongoing series of negotiations between the U.S. and China to resolve long-standing trade imbalances and address national security concerns. Earlier this year, the two nations ended a years-long tariff tit-for-tat …