Drought in Russia: Grain region particularly affected
In Russia, the main region for grain cultivation has been experiencing dry conditions for weeks. This is likely to result in lower yields and poorer quality than previously expected.
US President Donald Trump's trade policies are causing chaos in the global markets. The European Union is facing a dilemma on how to protect sensitive sectors like agriculture amidst the uncertainty in Brussels. Last Tuesday, the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament met with representatives from the EU Commission. The members wanted to discuss how to navigate the unpredictable foreign trade policies of US President Donald Trump. The EU Commission expressed its desire to come to an agreement with the Trump administration to avoid the threatened tariffs. However, they did not rule out European retaliatory measures if the USA does not relent. European farmers are already feeling the effects of Trump's trade chaos. The US actions are causing harm in both the EU and the USA, impacting European farmers and food producers. The EU Commission is closely monitoring whether goods are being redirected to the EU due to US tariffs. Martin Häusling of the Greens emphasized the need for a firm stance against the USA. He rejected any notion of appeasement and criticized the idea of increasing soybean and liquefied gas imports from the United States, as it would challenge international rules. Gilles Pennelle from the right-wing populist faction Patriots for Europe accused the EU Commission of provoking trading partners with its policies. He declared the failure of liberal world trade and opposed the agreement with the Mercosur countries, stating it harms European and particularly French farmers. Danish MEP Asger Christensen from the liberal Renew Europe faction reaffirmed belief in free trade and its positive effects but highlighted the fragility of the system and the need for self-reliance, especially in food security, within the EU. The two largest factions, the European People's Party and the Social Democrats, praised the EU Commission's approach and its focus on negotiations while strongly criticizing the US government. The European Committee of the Regions, representing local authorities in the EU, called on the European Commission to provide a robust response to protect local economies and food sovereignty within the EU. They urged the inclusion of "mirror clauses" in current and future trade agreements to align import norms with EU environmental, plant protection, and safety regulations and ensure fair competition for European producers. The trade conflict continues as Bernd Lange, Chair of the EU Parliament's Trade Committee, deemed the recent doubling of additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and related products as a provocation. He stated that if the new 50% tariffs are not paused, immediate countermeasures are necessary.