Policy Update
Today, USDA promised a new short-term aid package to help carry farmers through a difficult 2025-2026 cycle until longer-term provisions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) take effect in late 2026.
New USDA export data show that China has bought only a small fraction of the U.S. soybeans it pledged after last month’s meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
Late last night, President Trump signed a congressional funding measure after the House voted to approve it 222-209, ending the record long federal government shutdown.
Just two weeks after the announced trade truce between China and the United States, Chinese purchases of American soybeans have unexpectedly stagnated, and traders now say they see no new orders coming in.
The USDA is fighting court orders to distribute full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November despite the looming reopening of the federal government.
Passed by the Senate last night, a new stopgap spending bill to fund the government through January 30 includes a one-year extension of key Farm Bill programs.
Trump administration officials are standing firm after a tense Supreme Court oral argument this week cast doubt on the legality of the president’s sweeping tariff authority.
During oral arguments yesterday, multiple justices challenged the argument that the president may impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977.
China has confirmed that beginning November 10, it will suspend retaliatory tariffs but will retain the 10% levy and 13% tariff on U.S. soybeans.
The USDA has announced it will use its contingency fund to cover November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but only at a reduced level.
The USDA has confirmed that it will publish a long-awaited crop supply and demand report on November 14 — despite the ongoing federal government shutdown that halted the regular October release.