Both the U.S. and China have announced a temporary pause in tariffs for the next 90 days, and the deal is moving markets.
The announcement comes after a weekend of meetings in Switzerland, the Treasury Secretary, and the U.S. Trade Representative. China will reduce its tariffs from 125 percent to 10 percent. In return, the U.S. will lower tariffs on most Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent.
The DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ futures are all up significantly this morning.
Related Stories
Higher ocean freight raises export costs just as global grain competition intensifies.
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
WTO gauges point to agricultural raw materials trade growing more slowly than overall goods, reinforcing the need to manage export risk and monitor policy shifts closely.
While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.
China’s renewed purchases signal improving sorghum demand at a time when export markets are otherwise uneven. Meanwhile, agriculture groups across the U.S, Canada, and Mexico want to protect close trade relations.
Despite the need for swift action, many ag lawmakers and industry groups argue that farm aid alone will likely not be sufficient to help farmers without improved trade relations with China.
One trader said the products entering the U.S. are primarily grind and trim, noting that the volume and type of beef, on its own, should not cause a major disruption. However, he says fund traders are reacting heavily to headlines rather than market realities.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, provides the latest insight into the timing, expectations, and broader considerations of the potential aid package, despite increasing exports to China.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.