Illinois advocates and federal lawmakers expressed optimism after news that a trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico would move forward in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that she would soon vote on the trade deal signed earlier this year by leaders from the three countries. (The Center Square)

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington levies scheduled tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend. (Reuters)

Many farmers hope to put the challenging 2019 growing season in the rearview mirror and never look back. But a considerable number of growers unfortunately will have a perfect view of what’s left in the field in 2020 as extreme delays likely could push harvest activity into next year. (FarmWeekNow)  

The Organic Trade Association and its allies in Congress are pushing to finalize an Obama-era rule that would help dairy producers to transition animals into organic production only once. (Agri-Pulse)

President Donald Trump only wants a “phase one” trade deal with China that works for the U.S., Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Wednesday. (CNBC)

Beginning on Jan. 1, Japan will lower or eliminate tariffs on $7.2 billion worth of U.S. farm exports under a “mini” trade pact that received final approval in Japan’s parliament, the Diet, on Wednesday. (Successful Farming)