NCC Shares USDA’s Goals to Further Reduce Foodborne Illness

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced a comprehensive plan to bolster the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to combat foodborne illness while speaking at the opening of USDA’s new, modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory in Normandy, Missouri.

“President Trump is committed to ensuring American consumers have the safest, most abundant, and affordable food supply in the world. When it comes to food safety, USDA is charting a bold new course in giving consumers confidence their meat, poultry, and egg products meet our...

National Restaurant Association Applauds Trump Tax Bill for Boosting Industry Jobs and Growth

President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill features tax policies that will assist the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association said.

The group stated that the bill will enable restaurant owners and operators nationwide to “create jobs, invest in their business, and provide certainty for their local economies.”

“The restaurant industry is a powerful economic engine – generating over $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and employing more than 15 million people nationwide,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association...

US Tariffs on Brazilian Imports Spark Cross-Commodity Concerns

On July 9, US President Donald Trump moved to raise tariffs on Brazilian imports to 50% starting August 1—up sharply from the 10% rate imposed in early April—sparking concerns in global markets, with potential ripple effects across commodities like orange juice, beef, coffee, sugar, and seafood.

These trade measures are raising alarms in export-dependent sectors and among US importers, with market participants saying the implications could be wide-ranging.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the country would respond to the newly announced tariff...

Trump Announces 30% Tariffs on EU and Mexico as Trade Tensions Persist

President Donald Trump has expanded his administration’s tariff policy, targeting the European Union and Mexico with newly announced 30% tariffs on all products imported into the United States.

On July 11, Trump formally notified the leaders of both trading partners about the new rates via letters.

In response, the European Union announced yesterday that it will extend its suspension of retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs until early August, signaling a willingness to continue negotiations with the Trump administration in hopes of reaching a new trade agreement...

Trump Announces August 1 Tariffs — Here's the Complete List

Global leaders are receiving news on their countries' US tariff rates this week, as President Donald Trump dispatched approximately 20 letters by Wednesday afternoon.

The tariff rates, which range from 20% to 50%, are set to take effect on August 1, unless new negotiations or trade deals are reached in the coming weeks. Trump signed an executive order establishing an August 1 deadline for implementing his “reciprocal” tariffs. He remained firm on social media, emphasizing that it marked the final cutoff for any new trade agreements...

Trump Letters Reveal August 1 Tariff Rates for Key US Trading Partners

The Trump administration was busy after the Fourth of July holiday, as the President sent out a litany of letters to US trading partners revealing what their tariff rate would be starting on August 1.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump and members of the administration announced that letters would begin rolling out showcasing new tariff rates for countries. The letters came at a rapid pace on Monday afternoon, with messages dispatched to the leaders of Japan, South Korea and South Africa, to name a few...

Letter to Brazil: Trump Cites "Witch Hunt" While Charging 50% Tariff

US President Trump has charged 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports to the States, according to a letter to Brazilian President Lula.

This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a deal within the previously granted 90-day pause. And what a fun week it's been for tariffs' "watchers on the wall."

Letters to 22 trading partners were sent with new tariff rates that will be implemented on August 1...

Trump Tariff Letters Continue to Roll Out; Philippines Faces 20% Tariff

President Trump has sent a new batch of letters to several countries, including the Philippines, notifying them of new US tariff rates set to take effect on August 1, giving them a short window to renegotiate trade terms before the deadline.

On July 8, Trump stated that a minimum of seven countries would be released, with an additional group to be released in the afternoon.

Despite multiple tariff implementation delays already, Trump was steadfast and set August 1 as a hard deadline in a social media...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

US to Impose 25% Tariff on Japanese and Korean Imports Starting August 1

President Donald Trump's tariff letters are being rolled out, with Korea and Japan at the forefront. In identical letters released on July 7, the administration announced that both countries will face a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the United States, effective August 1.

In identical letters sent to the leaders of both countries, Trump declared that the US would impose the tariffs “on any and all Korean (Japanese) products sent into the US,” including goods transshipped through third countries in an attempt to bypass the...

US Pushes Tariff Deadline to August, Trump Administration Expects Surge in Deals

President Donald Trump said on July 6 that the US is nearing several new trade deals and that letters will be sent to trading partners by July 9, warning of increased tariffs set to take effect on August 1.

The move effectively extends the administration’s trade deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving Trump more time to finalize agreements. So far, the U.S. has signed just two deals—one with the United Kingdom and another with Vietnam, as Expana reported last week...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Trump, Carney Agree to Resume US-Canada Trade Negotiations

Trade discussions between the United States and Canada resumed late Sunday after Canada announced it would withdraw its proposed digital services tax targeting major US technology firms.

On June 27, President Trump stated that due to Canada’s intention to impose a tax on US tech firms, the US would halt all trade discussions with its northern neighbor “effective immediately.”

The tax was to take effect on Monday, June 30. According to the New York Times, the 3% digital services tax on major US tech firms like Meta, Amazon and...

US–China Trade Framework Advances, but Final Terms Still in Flux; Lutnick Hints at More Deals

The United States and China have inked a new trade agreement, President Donald Trump said on June 26.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mirrored the news during an interview with Bloomberg TV, stating that the deal was signed in recent days. Neither Trump nor Lutnick shared further details.

Expana reported on June 11 that Lutnick said the US and China agreed to a trade framework, and the latest comments from both Lutnick and Trump don’t seem to add much...

Cattle Farmers and Ranchers Join President Trump to Push for Tax Relief

Today, farmers and ranchers affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House for an event rging Congress to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and deliver tax relief.

Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA Past-President, attended due to his personal experience with the Death Tax.

“It was an incredible honor to stand with President Trump and echo his message that America’s family farmers and ranchers need tax relief now,” said Kester. “When I was hit with the Death Tax 30 years ago, I couldn’t hire new employees, invest in equipment, or make improvements to the ranch. My family and I had to stretch every...

DHS Reverses Pause on ICE Raids, Targeting Farms, Hotels, and Restaurants

Days after the Trump administration ordered a pause on immigration raids targeting the agriculture and hospitality industries, the Department of Homeland Security has reversed course, authorizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to resume worksite enforcement at farms, hotels, and restaurants, according to the Washington Post.

The publication reported that ICE held a call on June 16 to direct agency leaders that raids could occur at farms, hotels, and restaurants. Representatives from 30 field offices across the US were informed of the new instructions via the call...

ICE Told to Pause Worksite Raids in Agriculture, Hospitality Sectors by Trump Administration

The Trump administration will reportedly direct US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pause raids on businesses operating in the agricultural, restaurant, and hotel industries.

According to the New York Times, an internal email and three US officials confirmed the adjustment to President Trump’s deportation and immigration policies.

The email obtained by the publication directed ICE officials to “hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Commerce Secretary Lutnick: US-China Trade Deal Framework Finalized

United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the US and China have agreed to a trade framework after two days of negotiations in London. 

After what reports described as “intense negotiations,” Lutnick told reporters that the framework builds upon an agreement made last month to ease triple-digit retaliatory tariffs. 

 In a social media post on June 11, President Trump said that a deal with China was done and called the trade relationship with China “excellent.” However, further details regarding the deal were not made public...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

US Arrests Chinese Nationals for Allegedly Smuggling Dangerous Fungus in “Agroterrorism” Attempt

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested two citizens of the People’s Republic of China for allegedly smuggling a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which is a potential agroterrorism weapon, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are suspected of alleged conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, false statements, and visa fraud.

The fungus can cause a disease called “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, according to US FBI Director, Kash Patel on X.com...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...