United States Soybeans to Brazil

Many reports have shown that in May of 2020 Brazil overtook the United States as the number one soybean producing country in the world. With this being the case why is Brazil importing soybeans from the United States? The article linked below provides some answers. We encourage you to explore the linked article and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Brazil-Bound U.S. Soybean Vessel Loading at Gulf Coast Terminal

Discussion Points

• Why is Brazil turning to the United States for soybeans?
• What did you find most surprising from the article and why?
• Trade relations can have intended and unintended consequences that impact many around the globe. What are some examples within this article? 
• What are the trade relations with your home country and the world? What do you see as the future?

Pork and China's Growing Demand for Protein

China has a growing demand for protein. How will China meet this growing demand? The National Pork Board in the United States has provided some input on this challenge and further information is detailed in the link below. We encourage you to read the linked news release and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe.

National Pork Board Study Defines China's Growing Need for Protein

Discussion Points

• Why is China's need for protein on the rise? 
• Why is there a great potential for the United States and China to look at trade in the pork sector at the current time?
• It would be nice if the United States could simply send pork to China as demand increases, but there are often other factors that influence this ease. What other factors may be challenging at the current time? How do those involved overcome these factors?
• The following quote is shared in the release by David Newman, "One of the ways to build value is to expand U.S. pork exports in developed and emerging markets." Where do you see potential for U.S. pork exports to expand and why?

Fishermen Dilemma

Making a living as a fisherman is becoming tougher in the United States. This is due to many complex reasoning's. Linked below is a story by Market to Market on the challenges facing fishermen in the United States and compares their practises and techniques to fishermen globally. You are encouraged to watch the video linked below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the world.

Fishermen Seek Level Playing Field Internationally

Discussion Points

• What are the challenges facing fishermen in this story?
• How do fishing practises around the globe differ? 
• In your personal opinion do you believe rules and regulations regarding fishing should change or be updated? Provide support for your reasoning.
• What do you feel is the largest challenge facing fishermen around the globe in the next 50 years? 

Trade Uncertainty

Agriculture trade is very important to countries around the globe. There are many things that can impact trade including countries imposing tariffs and quotas. This week there has been a lot of talk about tariffs being placed on products between China and the United States. The attached article gives a brief summary and includes a video explaining the current situation between China and the United States. We encourage you to watch the video, read the article, and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe?

Tariffs for China and U.S. Goods

Discussion Points

• Explain what a tariff is. If you need to do additional research that is fine.
• Why is the U.S. considering tariffs on China? Why is China considering tariffs on the U.S.?
• What is the potential impact to agriculture in the two countries (markets, supply, etc.)?
• How might this "trade war" impact your home country? Your home state?
• How might this situation impact countries around the world besides China and the United States?

Discussion tip: Note that the discussion points above do not include any political figures or parties. Try to keep the discussion to trade policy and agriculture markets.

U.S. and Japan Beef Trade

Agriculture products are traded around the world and are very important to agriculture markets and farmers bottom lines. This week we take a look at the relationship between Japan and the United States on trade, specifically Beef. We encourage you to look over the attached article and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms, coffee shops, and communities around the world!

U.S. Urges Japan to Eliminate Import Restrictions on U.S. Beef

Discussion Points

• What is the history of beef trade between Japan and the United States?
• What trade agreements does your home country have with others? Why are these trade agreements so important?
• Recently I moderated a panel of agriculture experts who stressed the importance of building positive relationships with other countries to strengthen trade agreements. In your opinion what are the best ways to build strong relationships with other countries?
• What are your predictions on the future of U.S. beef imports into Japan and why?

Trade War to Trade Deal

Recently China and the United States struck a new trade deal that will look to open up the movement of beef, natural gas, and cooked chicken. I encourage you to read through the linked article that shares some of the details of the recent trade talks. At the bottom of the article there is a five minute video clip of analysts looking closer at the trade deal and bringing up some intriguing points. We encourage you to explore the article and video and use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

China, US Reach Agreement

Discussion Points

• What are the initial details of this trade agreement? 
• To you what is the most significant part of this trade agreement and why?
• Why have some cautioned against immediate excitement over the trade deal?
• Give your predictions of this trade deal. What will be the impact of beef, pork, and/or natural gas prices in your home country for the consumer and producers? Explain and justify your reasonings.

Vietnam and the United States: The Possibilities

If you have been around agriculture and trade discussions lately you are well aware of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that is in the works. This is something that many in agriculture in the United States wish was already in place due to the markets it would open. The linked article is a report from the USDA that highlights the opportunities that are availability for trade between Vietnam and the United States. After reading the linked article use the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities around the world!

TPP: New Opportunities for Vietnam and the U.S.

Discussion Points

• What are the advantages to both Vietnam and the United States if the TPP agreement happens?
• If the TPP agreement fails what is likely to happen with the trade relations between Vietnam and the United States considering other factors mentioned in this article?
• How would the TPP agreement affect the following groups if it gets put into place?
• Agriculture producers in the United States
• Agriculture producers in Vietnam
• Consumers in the United States
• Consumers in Vietnam
• Who and why might someone be against the TPP agreement?
• Pick out one specific area (livestock, horticulture, or grains and oil seeds) mentioned in the article and analyze more in depth the impacts of TPP. Share your findings with others.  

Do a little more research: Give us an overall summary of the TPP agreement.

• How long has this been in the works?
• What countries does it involve?
• What is overall public perception regarding the agreement?

The China/United States Food Connection

Food safety has been a concern in the United States for years and these same issues are rising to the top in China as well. The article linked below takes a look at a group that got together recently to examine and discuss the relationship and possibilities shared between China and the United States as it relates to agriculture trade and food safety. After looking over the attached article use the discussion questions below to start conversation with others.

The Surprising Synergies of China and American Agriculture

Discussion Points

• What was one of the main things that helped shape food safety regulations in the United States?
• What/who is helping to shape China food safety policies today?
• Explain the arable land and population relationship in China and the United States and how this can or does effect the supply chain.
• Discuss the current supply chain in place between China and the United States as it relates to agricultural goods.
• What do you see as the possibilities of food safety and relations between these two countries? If you are from a country other than China or the United States what does your food supply chain look like with China and/or the United States?