Tariffs
Tariffs, also known as taxes on imported goods, are a tool used by President Donald Trump as part of his overall economic vision. As U.S. agriculture navigates tariffs and their implications on trade, commodity prices, input costs and more, ag economists and farmers remain divided on the effectiveness of tariffs and what the changes mean for the broader economy and livelihoods.
Kent Beadle, Paradigm Futures, says corn and soybeans are seeing some pressure from weather and Monday’s strong crop ratings. Cattle recover with their discount to cash.
On Saturday, President Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1. The announcement came after a string of new tariff threats last week.
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are seeing some routine profit taking after hitting all-time and record highs again on Friday. Corn is seeing short covering off fresh contract lows but can it hold any gains?
Dave Chatterton, with Strategic Farm Marketing, says old and new crop corn both made new contract lows as the market faded the friendly ending stocks numbers in the July WASDE. He says the market was looking ahead with ideas of higher yields in future reports.
Live and feeder cattle futures opened lower on Friday but quickly turned higher with strong cash news according to Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek. Grains see pressure from weather and the risk off outside market influences tied to the proposed tariff increases on Canada to 35% by Aug. 1
DuWayne Bosse of Bolt Marketing says the bounce in the grain markets was mostly short covering heading into Friday’s WASDE Report. However, the market may not trade the report numbers long before it turns it attention back to weather.
Mark Knight with Farmer’s Keeper Financial says corn opened lower but was trying to recover early on short covering, but also following the strength in the wheat market. Soybeans fell further on tariff concerns.
Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst with Barchart, Inc. says grains continue to see non-commercial selling as the markets are becoming more comfortable about ample supplies. However, one factor not being talked about is demand is starting to fall.
On Monday, 14 countries received letters indicating tariff increases of 25% to 40%, including Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, President Trump extended the implementation date for those tariffs to Aug. 1
Frayne Olson, NDSU Extension Crops Economist, says weather and improved crop ratings and benign weather are weighing on the corn and soybean markets. However, tariff uncertainty is also negative for prices.