Articles by Bill Tomson

Congratulations to Jewel Bronaugh, who was confirmed by the Senate Thursday evening as deputy agriculture secretary, USDA’s No. 2 position. She was approved on a voice vote.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Thursday beseeched U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to reveal when the Biden administration will engage with Congress to re-establish Trade Promotion Authority – legislation key to negotiating new free trade agreement - but they did not get an answer.

China has again committed to a substantial purchase of U.S. corn for the 2021-22 marketing year, reinforcing optimism that demand from the country is long term.

Farm groups are getting the attention of House Democrats when it comes to President Joe Biden’s proposals to expand the taxation of capital gains.

The Biden administration wants a better trade remedy than the nearly 60-year-old Section 232 tariffs that the Trump administration enacted to counter imports of foreign steel and aluminum, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told lawmakers Wednesday.

Farm groups are stepping up the pressure on Congress to reject President Joe Biden’s proposals for increasing taxes on capital gains. More than 40 organizations have signed a letter to congressional leaders, saying the proposals threaten the transition to a new generation of farmers.

China has been reporting some new outbreaks of African swine fever in recent months, but the problem is likely much worse than it appears. That’s both an opportunity for U.S. pork producers and a threat to their herds, according to U.S. industry and government officials.

Mexico has again postponed the deadline for the U.S. to comply with the country’s new law that would require a separate Mexican certification for U.S. organic products that enter the country.

Chinese buyers have made another big purchase of U.S. corn for the next harvest as concerns mount over the impact of dry weather on Brazil. The USDA on Monday announced a 1.02 million-metric-ton sale of corn to China for delivery in the 2021-22 marketing year.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is taking time from meeting top trade officials from around the globe to get to better know the U.S. ag sector and its priorities.