Oliver Ward
@oliward.bsky.social
Trade editor at Agri-Pulse
Brit in the U.S.
Into graphs
Tips & coffee invites welcome at oliver@agri-pulse.com
Brit in the U.S.
Into graphs
Tips & coffee invites welcome at oliver@agri-pulse.com
The administration has confirmed in a Federal Register notice that it will take 13K tons out of a beef quota for "other countries" to create a new 13K-ton quota for the UK. When the deal was announced, I reported that this could run afoul of WTO rules.
See more: www.agri-pulse.com/articles/228...
See more: www.agri-pulse.com/articles/228...
January 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
The administration has confirmed in a Federal Register notice that it will take 13K tons out of a beef quota for "other countries" to create a new 13K-ton quota for the UK. When the deal was announced, I reported that this could run afoul of WTO rules.
See more: www.agri-pulse.com/articles/228...
See more: www.agri-pulse.com/articles/228...
Was able to catch up on some reading over the holidays & picked up “The World’s Worst Bet” by @davidjlynch.bsky.social. I'm sure I'll be returning to this regularly. A thorough account of globalization's rise, replete with timely lessons for the incoming AI labor shock (& a reflective Bill Clinton)
December 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Was able to catch up on some reading over the holidays & picked up “The World’s Worst Bet” by @davidjlynch.bsky.social. I'm sure I'll be returning to this regularly. A thorough account of globalization's rise, replete with timely lessons for the incoming AI labor shock (& a reflective Bill Clinton)
USDA projects smaller ag trade deficit in FY2026
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
USDA projects smaller ag trade deficit in FY2026
USDA anticipates the trade deficit will fall from $43.7 billion in FY2025 to $37 billion in FY2026, according to its quarterly trade forecast published Tuesday.
www.agri-pulse.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:34 PM
USDA projects smaller ag trade deficit in FY2026
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
California growers watch Argentina trade talks with trepidation
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
California growers watch Argentina trade talks with trepidation
The Trump administration is working to finalize a trade deal with Argentina, and produce growers in California are pushing the White House to raise, not lower, trade barriers to curb rising imports,
www.agri-pulse.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
California growers watch Argentina trade talks with trepidation
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/239...
USTR Greer last night said China's 12 million-ton soybean purchasing target applies to this "growing season," which he said could run through March.
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
USTR Greer adds to mixed signals on China’s soybean deadline
A top administration trade official on Tuesday became the latest to indicate that China wouldn’t buy 12 million tons of soybeans this year, telling senators that the deadline instead could extend thro...
www.agri-pulse.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
USTR Greer last night said China's 12 million-ton soybean purchasing target applies to this "growing season," which he said could run through March.
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Push is on for more farm aid, even before $12B goes out
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Push is on for more farm aid, even before $12B goes out
Republican farm-state senators say row crop growers are likely to need additional aid beyond the Trump administration's newly announced $12 billion bridge payment program, and specialty crop producers...
www.agri-pulse.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Push is on for more farm aid, even before $12B goes out
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
USTR tussles with lawmakers over report on USMCA review
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
USTR tussles with lawmakers over report on USMCA review
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has told key congressional committees that a report on the administration’s priorities for an upcoming review of a North American trade deal will actually b...
www.agri-pulse.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
USTR tussles with lawmakers over report on USMCA review
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Reposted by Oliver Ward
"US tariffs prompt surge in Chinese exports to south-east Asia" www.ft.com/content/16d0...
December 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"US tariffs prompt surge in Chinese exports to south-east Asia" www.ft.com/content/16d0...
Bananas, tea, coffee and cocoa products could see the greatest price relief from recent tariff cuts, with imports meeting almost all of US demand. Useful table from Southern Ag Today.
December 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Bananas, tea, coffee and cocoa products could see the greatest price relief from recent tariff cuts, with imports meeting almost all of US demand. Useful table from Southern Ag Today.
Belter of a quote in the @notus.com newsletter this morning.
December 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Belter of a quote in the @notus.com newsletter this morning.
China never delivered on many Phase One ag promises – and has backslid since
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
China never delivered on many Phase One ag promises – and has backslid since
As the U.S. careens towards a new trade pact with China, ag groups warn that Beijing never followed through with many of its ag policy commitments under a 2020 deal. Groups are split, however, on how ...
www.agri-pulse.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
China never delivered on many Phase One ag promises – and has backslid since
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Reposted by Oliver Ward
Breaking: the EU has formally terminated its WTO case against China over the coercion of Lithuania
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Breaking: the EU has formally terminated its WTO case against China over the coercion of Lithuania
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
Trump has cut tariffs on fertilizer, but lower prices could remain elusive
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Trump has cut tariffs on fertilizer, but lower prices could remain elusive
President Trump cut duties on imported fertilizers earlier this month, but multiple analysts tell Agri-Pulse that prices are still likely to stay high through next year’s planting season amid tight gl...
www.agri-pulse.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Trump has cut tariffs on fertilizer, but lower prices could remain elusive
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
At Agri-Pulse, we're tracking Chinese orders of U.S. soybeans against that 12 million ton target. There's a link on the homepage. www.agri-pulse.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
At Agri-Pulse, we're tracking Chinese orders of U.S. soybeans against that 12 million ton target. There's a link on the homepage. www.agri-pulse.com
Over 100 lawmakers tout USMCA ag benefits, warn against upending deal
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
Over 100 lawmakers tout USMCA ag benefits, warn against upending deal
A bipartisan group of more than 100 House lawmakers wrote to a top Trump administration trade official Thursday to argue the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement has benefitted U.S. ag exports and warn agains...
www.agri-pulse.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Over 100 lawmakers tout USMCA ag benefits, warn against upending deal
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/238...
"White House officials became accustomed to emails from Summers ordering them to call him quickly for a debate over the phone before he appeared on a TV news show — otherwise, he’d tell the viewing public Biden was steering the country down the wrong track."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
After decades of power, Washington shuns Larry Summers over Epstein ties
Larry Summers helped shape U.S. economic policy for decades. His close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein scuttled much of that legacy.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"White House officials became accustomed to emails from Summers ordering them to call him quickly for a debate over the phone before he appeared on a TV news show — otherwise, he’d tell the viewing public Biden was steering the country down the wrong track."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Europe at critical juncture in precision breeding framework talks
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
Europe at critical juncture in precision breeding framework talks
The European Union is pushing to advance legislation by the end of the year that would update the bloc’s framework for regulating genetically modified plants, which could spur investments in new techn...
www.agri-pulse.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Europe at critical juncture in precision breeding framework talks
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
Reposted by Oliver Ward
In just six weeks importers of CBAM-covered goods will have to pay for (some of) their emissions. But the commission still hasn't confirmed some key details, and businesses are in the dark. More from me 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/11/18/b...
Business left in dark as CBAM payment start date looms - Borderlex - European trade policy
Six weeks before first payments are due, the European Commission continues to fine-tune the final details of the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, leaving companies in the dark on how much they...
borderlex.net
November 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In just six weeks importers of CBAM-covered goods will have to pay for (some of) their emissions. But the commission still hasn't confirmed some key details, and businesses are in the dark. More from me 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/11/18/b...
Reposted by Oliver Ward
American inspections of foreign food facilities — which produce everything from crawfish to cookies for the U.S. market — have plummeted to historic lows this year, a ProPublica analysis of federal data shows.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
American inspections of foreign food facilities — which produce everything from crawfish to cookies for the U.S. market — have plummeted to historic lows this year, a ProPublica analysis of federal data shows.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
Soybean sales to China since the Trump-Xi meeting have been even more tepid than we initially thought. USDA issues a correction after a Chinese buyer cancels 100,000 tons in orders.
November 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Soybean sales to China since the Trump-Xi meeting have been even more tepid than we initially thought. USDA issues a correction after a Chinese buyer cancels 100,000 tons in orders.
Notable among the latest tariff exemptions: 1- Beef products, given the backlash Trump faced from ranchers & lawmakers after he suggested boosting imports to lower prices; 2- More fertilizer carveouts. Phosphate imports had been falling & supply chains had been re-routing through Russia.
November 14, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Notable among the latest tariff exemptions: 1- Beef products, given the backlash Trump faced from ranchers & lawmakers after he suggested boosting imports to lower prices; 2- More fertilizer carveouts. Phosphate imports had been falling & supply chains had been re-routing through Russia.
Big day for ag trade. Today USDA released its daily export sales for the shutdown period, as well as its latest supply & demand estimates. @kchip.bsky.social and I parsed through it and spoke to some smart folks about what it all means.
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
USDA trims soybean exports on tough South American competition
The global trade outlook for U.S. soybeans is mixed as the Agriculture Department on Friday slightly lowered its earlier export forecast amid tough competition from South America, despite a pending U....
www.agri-pulse.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Big day for ag trade. Today USDA released its daily export sales for the shutdown period, as well as its latest supply & demand estimates. @kchip.bsky.social and I parsed through it and spoke to some smart folks about what it all means.
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
USTR Greer tells some of us at the White House that the US can begin implementing tariff carveouts for food products not grown domestically because it has reached a"critical mass" of trade deals that have "started to reshape the global trade system."
"Now is the right time" to release some duties
"Now is the right time" to release some duties
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
USTR Greer tells some of us at the White House that the US can begin implementing tariff carveouts for food products not grown domestically because it has reached a"critical mass" of trade deals that have "started to reshape the global trade system."
"Now is the right time" to release some duties
"Now is the right time" to release some duties
No specific mention of the beef tariff-rate quota in the Argentina trade framework's joint statement, only a mention of reciprocal market access.
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
No specific mention of the beef tariff-rate quota in the Argentina trade framework's joint statement, only a mention of reciprocal market access.