Markets & News: Signal to Noise with Jim Wiesemeyer

USDA has to walk a fine line with a new tariff aid plan currently being formulated according to Pro Farmer's policy analyst Jim Wiesmeyer. The now $20 billion package needs to lift up farmers beleaguered by the trade war with China while not prompting distorting changes in planting decisions. 

In this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal news director John Herath offer the latest on the tariff aid talks including indications the 2019 version could be based on historical, rather than actual, production. And that could lead to payments before the 2019 harvest.

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The U.S. upped tariffs on Chinese good, President Donald Trump announced plans to spend up to $15 billion on farm goods to prop up the ag economy and the Chinese trade team flew home sounding an optimistic tone, but without a trade deal in hand. What comes next? Pro Farmer's Jim Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal's John Herath break down the bushel basket of China trade news this week and look at details of how ag trade relief could be structured in this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast.

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An army of 100 Chinese trade negotiators are headed to Washington next week, the biggest sign yet that a trade deal is nearly finished. That could be the first in a line of trade dominoes to fall according to Pro Farmer Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer. In this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal News Director John Herath look at the positive trade trend, look forward to what could be a big week for disaster assistance and debate what's next after Beyond Meat's surprising IPO.

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Cong. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) this week announced his intention to run for chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress. In this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Pro Farmer Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer looks at how open competition for the House Ag gavel could impact the committee's work over the next year. Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal news director John Herath also read the latest tea leaves on trade and look at where the National Farmers Union could play a key role in Congressional approval of the U.S. Mexico and Canada Agreement.

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The Senate still has not been able to move a disaster aid bill covering weather events from two years ago. Meanwhile, pressure is building to provide relief for farmers and ranchers hit by heavy snows, flooding and winds this spring. Pro Farmer Washington Analyst Jim Wiesmeyer says a down payment on that aid will come soon in a comprehensive disaster bill. Wiesmeyer and Farm Journal News Director John Herath also cover the political reaction to the cancellation of World Pork Expo over African Swine Fever concerns and offer up the latest details of what appears to be an ever closer China trade deal of this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast.

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Now that the Mueller report is in the rear view mirror, an emboldened President Donald Trump may take a more aggressive stance on China, lengthening the trade talks, according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer. In this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal news director John Herath explore the ag impacts of a post-Mueller President Trump, the prospects for disaster aid for the flooded Midwest and how that flooding might impact the long-term economic outlook for farm country.

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As historic flooding in Nebraska and other states pushes China out of the headlines, AgDay's Clinton Griffiths joins Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer to look at the impacts of the growing disaster. What are the prospects for disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers battling the flood waters? What will that disaster aid look like? Wiesemeyer has the latest intelligence in this week's DC Signal to Noise.

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The ethanol industry this week got their long-awaited EPA rule to allow year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends. In the same week, EPA granted five more hardship waivers to allow refineries to bypass ethanol blend rules, and the Renewable Fuels Association announced ethanol use dropped last year for the first time in 20 years. AgDay's Clinton Griffiths was at EPA talking with new Administrator Andrew Wheeler on the day the RFS waivers were announced.  He joins Jim Wiesemeyer and John Herath on this week's DC Signal to Noise to share the story behind the latest ethanol developments.

Wiesemeyer also has new analysis on the latest announcement from the White House that a China trade meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump will not happen this month. Wiesemeyer says the March meeting is still possible.

Hear all the details and analysis on this week's DC Signal to Noise podcast.

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As a trade deal with China nears the finish line, talks seemed to take a step backward this week. Pro Farmer Washington Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer says on this week's DC Signal to Noise podcast that's because the toughest issues always are the last on the table. 

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USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue is making some big moves pushing the Trump administration, including a push of newly-confirmed EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to get E15 rule making done in time for the summer driving season. In an appearance before Commodity Classic in Orlando, he also said the administration needs to end Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum and instead favor quotas to level trade concerns.  On this week's DC Signal to Noise, Jim Wiesemeyer, Chip Flory and John Herath analyze the bold independence from Secretary Perdue and what it might mean for future ag priorities. 

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