jul-aug-2020

effect right away. The other countries being considered for similar tariffs include Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The phase one agreement with China is underway. It is not clear if China will meet its obligation to purchase the required volume of U.S. agriculture products. The President has stated there will not be a phase two agreement. China has recently retaliated against two U.S. Senators, one Congressman and an Ambassador due to their action on Hong Kong and statements about China’s treatment of the minority group, Uighurs. Hong Kong continues to be a challenge in our relationship with China, as does the coronavirus. Because of the damage and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the President announced a program to provide relief to agriculture in the form of direct payments, increased food purchases and help with export funding. Almond growers have now received direct payments. The amount paid to almond growers currently ranks as seventh in all of agriculture. It is anticipated that total payments to U.S. farmers this year will reach $32 billion. It is unlikely that any real progress in trade negotiations will occur before our November elections. Most, if not all, countries will want to wait to see who wins the Presidential election. They will not want to reach an agreement with the current President only to find out that a different President will be in office next year. Until then, it seems trade negotiations will be on summer vacation. However, your Blue Diamond Washington team will be working to ensure almonds are considered when negotiations resume. Blue Diamond Advocate Julian Heron, Partner, Tuttle Taylor & Heron 2 5 J U L Y – A U G U S T 2 0 2 0