East Asia Trade Bloc: Japan, China and South Korea completed the first round of talks intended to achieve a free trade agreement. No one should expect the process to be quick. It was characterized as largely procedural. The notable geopolitical aspects include the following:
The launching of the Trans-Pacific Partnership by the U.S. (plus Japan's intention to join it) created a threat that prompted China's interest in an East Asian trade pact. Japan and South Korea will be defensive on agriculture and offensive on industrial goods, whereas China wants greater opportunities for its agriculture. All parties hope that increased economic relations, and consequently cultural relations, will temper the otherwise long history of political...
Key Takeaways: Brazil confirmed a Newcastle disease outbreak at a commercial turkey farm in Santa Catarina on 18 October, raising concerns about potential disruptions to poultry exports despite the outbreak being confined to a single facility thus far. Mexico and Malaysia have imposed nationwi...
Yesterday, Alberta held a referendum on whether to begin the process toward independence from Canada. With more than one million votes counted as of early Tuesday morning, around 77 percent supported remaining in Canada, and 23 percent voted to start the process of separation, according to unof...
What You Need to Know Today: Harvest pressure in the U.S. sent corn and soybeans lower as supplies increased and there were signs USDA’s upward revisions to yields in the October WASDE could be close to right. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated over the weekend, with Ukrai...
