Oliver Ward
@oliward.bsky.social
Trade editor at Agri-Pulse
Brit in the U.S.
Into graphs
Tips & coffee invites welcome at [email protected]
Brit in the U.S.
Into graphs
Tips & coffee invites welcome at [email protected]
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.
👀👀 White House website has a heading for a joint statement on a framework for a trade pact with Argentina, but it's a dead link right now.
November 13, 2025 at 9:08 PM
👀👀 White House website has a heading for a joint statement on a framework for a trade pact with Argentina, but it's a dead link right now.
Reposted by Oliver Ward
Canadian Travel to the U.S. Declines for 10th Straight Month www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Canadian Travel to the U.S. Declines for 10th Straight Month
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Canadian Travel to the U.S. Declines for 10th Straight Month www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson tells me the administration's planned tariff assistance will only be a "first tranche" & not "the whole amount."
"I don't know whether they'll be ready by next week, but I think it'll be soon," he adds.
"I don't know whether they'll be ready by next week, but I think it'll be soon," he adds.
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 AM
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson tells me the administration's planned tariff assistance will only be a "first tranche" & not "the whole amount."
"I don't know whether they'll be ready by next week, but I think it'll be soon," he adds.
"I don't know whether they'll be ready by next week, but I think it'll be soon," he adds.
Reposted by Oliver Ward
You can see why Bessent is floating coffee tariff relief today. ☕️
Coffee futures $KC_F ranging near record levels.
All-time high notched back in February. @AugurInfinity
Under $90 in 2019. Above $400 this year.
All-time high notched back in February. @AugurInfinity
Under $90 in 2019. Above $400 this year.
November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
You can see why Bessent is floating coffee tariff relief today. ☕️
Reposted by Oliver Ward
"Foreign countries expect talks to progress more quickly and they're betting a ruling against Trump’s tariffs could weaken his bargaining power, giving smaller economies a better chance to shape future pacts" @arihawkins.bsky.social @ddesrochers.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Tariffs are on trial, but US trade talks are moving full steam ahead
As the justices weigh limits on Trump’s trade authority, foreign governments continue to seek deals, while hoping the case may give them more leverage.
www.politico.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
"Foreign countries expect talks to progress more quickly and they're betting a ruling against Trump’s tariffs could weaken his bargaining power, giving smaller economies a better chance to shape future pacts" @arihawkins.bsky.social @ddesrochers.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Smallholder farmers are back at the forefront of global development
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
Smallholder farmers are back at the forefront of global development
The World Bank is doubling down on agriculture’s potential as a vehicle for global development in the hope that greater investments in smallholder farms will boost jobs, prosperity and food security i...
www.agri-pulse.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Smallholder farmers are back at the forefront of global development
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
www.agri-pulse.com/articles/237...
US farmers have really turned out to weigh in on USMCA. Digging through the comments, I'm struck by how many family farms have weighed in. It looks like Farm Action mobilised around MCOOL, but there plenty arguing US should raise water issues & complaining imports are driving commodity prices down
November 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
US farmers have really turned out to weigh in on USMCA. Digging through the comments, I'm struck by how many family farms have weighed in. It looks like Farm Action mobilised around MCOOL, but there plenty arguing US should raise water issues & complaining imports are driving commodity prices down
Reposted by Oliver Ward
The CPTPP has so many applicants that it is now mulling setting up a secretariat - great scoop from our roving Pacific reporter (he wishes!) @chrishorseman.bsky.social borderlex.net/2025/11/03/c...
CPTPP members mull forming secretariat as applicant numbers swell - Borderlex - European trade policy
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borderlex.net
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The CPTPP has so many applicants that it is now mulling setting up a secretariat - great scoop from our roving Pacific reporter (he wishes!) @chrishorseman.bsky.social borderlex.net/2025/11/03/c...
The White House provides further clarity on China's soybean purchase commitments. Looks like the 12 MMT is for the rest of 2025, and the 25 MMT are for the next three calendar years.
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
November 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The White House provides further clarity on China's soybean purchase commitments. Looks like the 12 MMT is for the rest of 2025, and the 25 MMT are for the next three calendar years.
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
Reposted by Oliver Ward
NEWS: CBS News gutted its climate team as part of the big Paramount layoffs this week. These journalists had been doing incredible reporting on extreme heat, flooding, clean energy investments and more.
I've got details for Climate-Colored Goggles: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/cbs-news-g...
I've got details for Climate-Colored Goggles: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/cbs-news-g...
CBS News just gutted its climate team
Paramount and Bari Weiss aren't off to a great start. Here's why David Ellison should change course.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:55 AM
NEWS: CBS News gutted its climate team as part of the big Paramount layoffs this week. These journalists had been doing incredible reporting on extreme heat, flooding, clean energy investments and more.
I've got details for Climate-Colored Goggles: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/cbs-news-g...
I've got details for Climate-Colored Goggles: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/cbs-news-g...
One soybean market analyst tells me there simply isn't enough time between now and the end of January for China to make good on the 12 million-ton purchase target Bessent unveiled. The logistics aren't in place for December shipments, leaving too much volume to move in January.
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One soybean market analyst tells me there simply isn't enough time between now and the end of January for China to make good on the 12 million-ton purchase target Bessent unveiled. The logistics aren't in place for December shipments, leaving too much volume to move in January.
Trump's pick for USTR chief ag negotiator, Julie Callahan: "My intention in the negotiation with Argentina is this will not be a one-way conversation about beef. We would like to see beef access into Argentina as well."
October 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Trump's pick for USTR chief ag negotiator, Julie Callahan: "My intention in the negotiation with Argentina is this will not be a one-way conversation about beef. We would like to see beef access into Argentina as well."