A hitch in USMCA progress (Washington Post): Mexico objected during USMCA negotiations to a U.S. proposal to put labor inspectors in Mexico, and a top Mexican official flew to Washington for last-minute talks to quash a proposal to base five U.S. labor attaches in Mexico to police the USMCA.
Acrimonious end of COP25 (Reuters): The UN climate conference ended with a declaration of the “urgent need” to control greenhouse gases as industrialized nations resisted bolder actions; UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the meeting disappointing.
Argentina raises tax rates on ag exports (MercoPress): Facing $100 billion in debts, the new Argentine government of President Alberto Fernandez increased its export taxes on soybeans, soy oil, soymeal, corn, wheat and beef.
Corn exports by Brazil double (USDA): Brazil has exported 33.3 million tonnes of corn in the marketing year that opened in March, more than double its usual tally, and is encouraging farmers to expand second-crop plantings of corn to take advantage of rising market prices.
Delivering beneficial fungi via bioplastics (USDA): Agricultural Research Service scientists are testing a bioplastic made of corn starch and other natural ingredients as a medium for delivery of beneficial fungi that can prevent the development of highly toxic aflatoxin in corn, peanuts, cotton and other crops.