China has committed to buy at least $80 billion in U.S. farm products over the next two years and the country also agreed to sweeping structural changes that promise to improve trade on a more permanent basis for U.S. beef, pork, rice, corn, wheat, soybeans and other commodities. (Agri-Pulse)

The U.S. Senate easily passed an overhaul of North America’s trade rules on Thursday, sending a major Trump administration priority to the president’s desk. The Senate voted 89 to 10 in support of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaces the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. (Wall Street Journal)

Two more Senate committees Tuesday approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). (FarmWeekNow)

The Trump administration is hailing the “Phase One” trade war truce between the U.S. and China as a “huge step forward” in establishing a long-term trade relationship between the world’s top two economies. The potential increase is welcome news for trade war-weary farmers like Bureau County’s Evan Hultine. “I’d say definitely overjoyed to hear some positive news on that front, but cautious optimism is the best way to describe my feelings.” (Voice of America

Some Trump administration officials, including USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, are holding off on the final installment of market facilitation payments (MFP) until they see what happens with the phase one trade deal with China, according to Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer. Farmers and farm groups alike are pushing for the trade aid to go through by the end of the month. (AgWeb)

The Senate will likely clear the implementing bill for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement this week, ahead of an impeachment trial for President Donald Trump, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. (Agri-Pulse)