Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer is well known to Pro Farmer Members for his long tenure as Washington Bureau Chief for Pro Farmer. Now with agricultural consulting firm Informa Economics, formerly Sparks Companies, Inc., he is still offering his expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics as a consultant to Pro Farmer. His Inside Washington Today column on AgWeb.com is a must-read item to keep up with the latest in Washington developments.

Latest Stories
The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here's a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and subject to federal regulation.
Ag Policy
What Bodies of Water are Considered WOTUS?
The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here’s a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and, therefore, subject to federal regulation.
April 12, 2023 04:39 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
Ag Policy
USTR’s Trade Strategy: Stronger Ties with Like-Minded Countries
Non-tariff barriers “are real and can be more significant hurdles than tariffs,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.
April 06, 2023 02:23 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
While Tai has faced strong criticism about a lack of new trade agreements being pursued, she claimed this week that the U.S. is “nearing a consensus on the need to do things differently.”
Ag Policy
USTR Tai Continues to Push Trade Policy Focused on Non-Tariff Barriers
While Tai has faced strong criticism about a lack of new trade agreements being pursued, she claimed this week that the U.S. is “nearing a consensus on the need to do things differently.”
April 05, 2023 01:27 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: The Arkas Line's Conti Basel container ship is docked in the Black sea port of Odessa, Ukraine, November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Ag Policy
Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show ‘Little to No’ Progress
Rail strikes ran headlines in late 2022 and came to an end in December when Congress passed an agreement. But there may be another strike looming in the transportation sector unless the Biden administration changes pace.
March 27, 2023 12:25 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill
Ag Policy
Is There Anything New from the Latest Farm Bill Debate?
We need to know the final funding level in the debt limit debate before there are can be any attempt to mix and match farm bill titles and funds.
March 24, 2023 10:13 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.
Ag Policy
Bipartisan Group Pushes for Stepped-Up Basis Tax Rule Protections
A resolution introduced Tuesday would support the “preservation” of the rule and “oppose efforts to impose new taxes on family farms or small businesses.”
March 22, 2023 12:54 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.
Ag Policy
US Importers Carried the Burden of Chinese Tariffs Placed by President Trump
Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.
March 17, 2023 11:00 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The Biden team argues that frameworks are better and faster for meeting current challenges than deals that involve broad tariff negotiations and can take years.
Ag Policy
Free-Trade Approach Pushed on the Biden Administration is Met with Backlash
“It would be a lost opportunity if we just sit on the sidelines and watch other countries engage while the playing field continues to tilt against us,” said Rep. Smith (R-Neb.).
March 14, 2023 03:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
cover crops and residue
Ag Policy
New Conservation Funding and CRP Took Priority in Senate Ag Hearing
“The prioritization of resource concerns must be left to the local level where producers decide how they can best address their unique and varied landscapes and needs,” said Sen. John Boozman.
March 02, 2023 05:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
Ag Policy
US Trade Rep Tai to Discuss Biden’s Trade Agenda Today
“In this current situation, the traditional approach to free trade agreements — which isn’t just tariff cuts, but that they do tariff cuts on a fully comprehensive basis — isn’t what we need right now,” Tai says.
March 01, 2023 12:45 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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