(Dave Bedard photo)

Trump administration eyes more aid to farmers if necessary

Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration is ready to provide more federal aid to farmers if required, a White House adviser said on Monday, after rolling out up to US$12 billion since last year to offset agricultural losses from the trade dispute with China. “We have allocated $12 billion, some such, to farm assistance. […] Read more



An eight-year-old handler walks her best-in-class York Barrow pig on June 4, 2014 at World Pork Expo in Des Moines. (File photo: Reuters/Lane Hickenbottom)

World Pork Expo cancelled over swine fever fears

Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. pork industry canceled its annual convention on Wednesday over concerns that international attendees could bring in an incurable hog disease at a time when U.S. farmers are already suffering from trade wars. The decision to scrap the World Pork Expo, held by the National Pork Producers Council in Des […] Read more

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland attends a news conference on media freedom as part of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Dinard, France on April 5, 2019. (File photo: Reuters/Stephane Mahe)

Canada looks at fresh tariffs on U.S. goods

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada is looking at ways to boost the effectiveness of its retaliatory tariffs against the United States, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday, but did not address remarks by a senior official who revealed what Ottawa might do. Canada imposed tariffs on $16.6 billion worth of U.S. exports in May […] Read more


File photo of apples in a U.S. supermarket. (CHUYN/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada gearing up to slap more tariffs on U.S. imports

Canada will update its list of U.S. imports, including farm products, on which it will place tariffs in retaliation to U.S. tariffs on imported Canadian steel and aluminum, David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, said Monday. “The intention… is not to escalate anything but simply to do what we said we’d do — […] Read more

“The president listens. (But) obviously he has a different opinion about the benefits of tariffs, at this point in time.” – Sonny Perdue, U.S. secretary of agriculture

U.S. agriculture secretary agrees with Canada in tariff dispute

Sonny Perdue admits the U.S. President has a different opinion

Canada has a friend in Washington. Sonny Perdue, the United States agriculture secretary, believes the American government should drop tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico as soon as possible. “We recognize from our industry and our sector, it’s in all of our best interests to see that it happens,” said Perdue, who […] Read more