Ag Bull Intel

Lighthizer: Why the Postwar Trade System Is Breaking — And What Comes Next Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer argues global trade must pivot from free flow to balanced flow, as rivalry with China hardens and economic security reshapes supply chains In a wide-ranging December 2025 interview with McKinsey, former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer…

Spring Prices, Smaller Checks: Why USDA’s SDRP2 Is Leaving Some Disaster-Stricken Farms Empty-Handed Budget pressure, audit risk, and payment-stacking concerns are reshaping how USDA calculates losses USDA’s decision to use spring planting prices rather than fall harvest prices under the second Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP2) is sharply reducing — and in some cases eliminating…

China Approaches 70% Mark of Soybean Purchase Commitment  Used Cooking Oil (UCO) theft emerges as costly shadow market | Johanns says U.S. farm aid insufficient | Ford takes huge hit on EV trucks | Update on 45Z, 45Q | Mexico opens trade probe into U.S. pork imports Link: Confused by How USTR, USDA, and Treasury Officials…

Confused by How USTR, USDA, and Treasury Officials Have Been Describing the U.S./China Soybean Deal? Trying to make sense out of flip-flopping timeline This item attempts to make sense out of changing timelines for China’s apparent commitment to purchase U.S. soybeans over multiple years. The U.S./China agreement between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping initially said via a…

USDA Reorganization Draws Overwhelmingly Negative Reviews India pushes back on U.S. basmati dumping claims | Naysayers describe Trump/Rollins farmer aid a ‘bridge to nowhere” Link: Video: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Dec. 13Link: Audio: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Dec. 13 Updates: Policy/News/Markets, Dec. 15, 2025 UP FRONT SUMMARY— USDA reorg backlash: Public comments and stakeholder feedback are overwhelmingly negative, warning that forced relocations and office…

House to Debate ACA/ObamaCare This Week  Senate to vote on Julie Callahan as chief ag negotiator at USTR  Link: Weekend Updates, Dec. 12: U.S. Lifts Belarus Potash Sanctions, Adding           New Uncertainty for Fertilizer MarketsLink: USTR Greer Lays Out Trump Trade Doctrine at Atlantic CouncilLink: Video: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Dec. 13Link: Audio: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Dec. 13 The Week Ahead: Dec.…