Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer was a Pro Farmer contributor as the Washington Bureau Chief. His columns provided expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics.

Latest Stories

Ag Policy

Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border

President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.

January 10, 2023 08:30 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Norman and Roy were among those initially opposing McCarthy’s speaker bid, and Massie in the past has been a real pain for GOP leadership plans.

Ag Policy

Kevin McCarthy Finally Won the House Speaker Gavel, Now What?

After four days and 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy’s wait to become Speaker of the House has ended. During his first year as Speaker, he will need to raise the debt limit and fund the government.

January 09, 2023 02:43 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

EPA Releases New WOTUS Rule, with the Supreme Court Ruling Pending

The definition maintains longstanding exemptions for farming activities but trims an exclusion for prior converted cropland that had been in the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

December 30, 2022 01:01 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Beijing on Monday announced export controls on gallium and germanium. Now the Biden administration is set to restrict Chinese companies’ access to U.S. cloud-computing services that use AI chips.

Ag Policy

China to Adjust Trade Tariffs Starting Jan. 1

Export tariffs on aluminum and aluminum alloys will be raised. The current import tariff will stay on seven types of coal until March 31, with tariffs adopted for most favored nations from April 1.

December 29, 2022 09:37 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

The Biden administration said it was prepared for the authority to end and had put in place precautions to guard against confusion at the border, and any potential surge of migrants.

Ag Policy

Supreme Court Orders Title 42 Border Restrictions to Remain in Place

The prospect of Title 42 ending prompted crowds to form on the Mexican side of the border of the U.S. as they awaited to cross the border.

December 28, 2022 10:50 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Taiwan extended mandatory military service in response to growing fears of China.

Ag Policy

U.S. Defense Spending Bill Leads to China Taking Aim at Taiwan

Taiwan’s defense ministry said China sent 71 warplanes and seven naval vessels on “strike drills”⁠ — rehearsals for conflict ⁠— into its air-defense zones.

December 27, 2022 01:48 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Hog Production

Signs Growing that the Global Supply Chain Crisis is Over

From the docks of Southern California and Europe to the parcel hubs in the Midwest and the store shelves in New York, signs are growing that the global supply chain crisis is over.

December 23, 2022 12:32 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

American red shipping cargo container on a white background.

Ag Policy

USMCA as a Framework: New Talks Between U.S., Ecuador, Uruguay

Government officials asked U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai to capitalize on the success of the USMCA and expand relations in the Western Hemisphere.

December 21, 2022 01:05 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Faber said USDA told them the changes occurred because of a software update to its reporting system in 2019, during the Trump administration.

Ag Policy

How the $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Package Might Impact Your Operation

Text of the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package was released early Tuesday morning. The Senate will vote first and intends to pass the measure before Thursday, leaving the House no time to demand changes.

December 20, 2022 11:19 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

The carbon deal is provisional and has to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

Ag Policy

European Union Clinches a Deal on a Carbon Border Tax

Members of the bloc agreed on how to create a tool that will force foreign companies to pay for the cost of their carbon emissions.

December 19, 2022 01:58 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer