In today’s talking points: Agriculture secretary says he’s telling Trump to consider rejoining TPP; Australian, Chinese agricultural exchanges help farmers achieve sustainable development; Chinese hungry for more Australian wool; China’s sorghum importers plead for help on tariffs as trade tumult deepens
Agriculture secretary says he’s telling Trump to consider rejoining TPP
US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told senators that he’s advocating for President Trump to consider joining up to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The signals from the Trump administrators has been mixed, as the president told senators he’s open to the possibilities but only later to claim over Twitter that he’s not. “I would welcome us looking at rejoining the TPP,” Perdue added. “Again, I think the president’s negotiating style could possibly get a, even a better agreement this time around.” The agriculture sector in the US has been fearful of retaliation from China amidst trade disputes.
Read more at: Washingtonpost
Australian, Chinese agricultural exchanges help farmers achieve sustainable development
For the past four decades, Australian farmers and New South Wales State Department of Primary Industries have been co-operating with Chinese livestock producers to find more sustainable ways to raise livestock like cattle, sheep, goat and yaks. Warwick Badgery, a research leader in rangelands and tropical pastures at the NSW Department has been coordinating work with Chinese scientists, research organizations and students.”Generally, we know if we are utilizing about 40-50 percent of the grass or less it’s sustainable, but if that starts creeping up that’s when we start to have soil erosion problems.”
Read more at: Xinhua
Chinese hungry for more Australian wool
Andrew Rintoul, Dongiemon and Tilba Tilba Merino studs, Williams all returned with a clear message after a recent tour to China-produce more wool’. Whilst demand from China and good wool prices in the past two seasons have appeared to be halted a declining production trend in Australia, Chinese wool processors and manufacturer’s chief concerns is the supply going forward. “They are not so concerned about price, with the massive investment they have put into processing wool they want to know that their supply (of raw material) into the future is secure. Said Mr Rintoul.
Read more at: Farmweekly
China’s sorghum importers plead for help on tariffs as trade tumult deepens
Some Chinese sorghum importers have asked Beijing to waive the antidumping deposits imposed last week on U.S imports. Companies have rushed to sell stranded cargo at sea at big discounts. China’s Commerce Ministry imposed a 178.6% deposit starting from April 18 on imports of sorghum from the U.S. It is likely to affect animal feed and liquor making. Sources have said a group of companies, including at least one state-owned firm has met the Ministry of Commerce officials to discuss concessions for the new tariffs.
Read more at: Farmfutures