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Analyst: US tariffs on corn from Ukraine could be beneficial to the country's corn
Analysts said that Ukrainian corn, which is a major component of the grain sector in Ukraine, could benefit from tariffs imposed on the U.S. U.S. president Donald Trump announced that a minimum 10% tariff would be applied to most imports. However, duties will be significantly higher on products from China and other countries. This is likely going to lead countermeasures which could drive up prices or reduce demand for U.S.-made goods. Ukraine is one of the world's largest corn producers and exporters. In a recent statement, ASAP Agri consultancy stated that "if key importers end up imposing duties on U.S. Corn, this will open a large window of opportunity for other suppliers." The Ukrainian corn market is strong: it has a competitive price, stable logistics and close links with European Union and Asian markets. The consulting firm said that Brazil was the first to be in line but it's harvest could not cover all of the demand. This is where Ukraine comes in and can claim its share. Barva Invest is another consultancy that said Ukraine views the U.S. not as a trading partner but rather an export competitor on the market for grains and oilseeds. It also stated that any counter-restrictions imposed by other countries against U.S. imports would have the biggest impact. The EU, Australia and China will most likely impose these measures. This opens strategic opportunities for Ukraine in areas where it competes with the U.S. Barva Invest told Telegram Messenger that "first of all, it is the market for corn and soybeans, and more indirectly, for rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and barley." Ukraine produced 32 metric tons in 2023, and 26 metric tons in 2024. According to the UCAB, the country is expected to export 22 million tons of corn in 2024/25. Corn export prices are high, so farmers are likely to increase corn plantings this year. Ukraine harvested a record-breaking 6.2 million tonnes of soybeans in 2024, and about half of that volume could be export this season. Ukraine's soybean crop in 2025 Could be The final volume of the crop will be determined by the amount of rain that falls in May and/or June. Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Chizu Omiyama and Ed Osmond
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Analyst: US tariffs on corn from Ukraine could be beneficial to the country's corn
Analysts at ASAP Agri said that Ukrainian corn could be a beneficiary of tariffs levied by the U.S. Ukraine is one of the world's largest corn exporters and growers. U.S. president Donald Trump announced that he would impose a minimum 10% tariff on all U.S. imported goods, and significantly higher duties for goods from China. This is likely to lead to countermeasures which could drive up prices or reduce demand for U.S. products. ASAP Agri stated in a press release that "if key importers end up imposing duties on U.S. Corn, this will open a large window of opportunity for other suppliers." The Ukrainian corn market is strong: it has a competitive price, stable logistics and close links with European Union and Asian markets. According to the consultancy, Brazil was "first in line" but that its harvest could not cover all demand. That is where Ukraine can "step in and claim their share". Ukraine will produce 32 million metric tonnes of corn in 2023, and 26 million in 2024. According to the UCAB, the country is expected to export 22 million tons of corn in 2024/25. Corn export prices are high, so farmers are likely to increase the area planted for corn this season. Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Chizu nomiyama
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The increase in oil loadings at Russia's western port is 6% per month compared to April 1-8
The data and calculations provided by sources in the trade industry showed that oil loadings at Russia's western port over the period April 1-8 will increase by 90,000 barrels a day (bpd), compared to the same period last March, to reach around 1.7 million bpd. Calculations showed that the exports and transits of Urals, KEBCO, and Siberian Light grades of oil from Primorsk to Ust-Luga, Novorossiisk and Novorossiisk will increase by 6% per day from March 1-8. Calculations based on three sources show that Russia's daily oil output from its western ports is set to increase by 100,000 barrels a day in April compared to March, as domestic refinery maintenance begins to outweigh the output cuts under an OPEC+ deal. Several market sources believe that Russia's export of oil in April may fall below the March level, due to some refineries being repaired after drone attacks during February and March. This means more crude oil will be allocated for domestic oil plants before the peak season demand for motor fuels. Calculations based on data provided by LSEG and other sources indicate that Russia's total offline primary crude oil refining capability in April could fall to 2.137 millions metric tons, down from 3.58million tons in March. Reporting by Louise Heavens; Editing by Louise Heavens
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Diplomat: US will continue to fund Angola's Lobito railway corridor despite cuts in spending
A U.S. Diplomat said that despite the aggressive spending cuts of President Donald Trump, the United States is committed to funding the Lobito Rail Corridor, which will help transport vital minerals from central Africa's copperbelt into the West. The U.S., through the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), set up in Trump's first year in office, has pledged $550 million in loan support for Lobito. Lobito is seen as a key component in countering Chinese control of copper and cobalt in the region. Trump's cuts in spending had caused concern for projects like Lobito, which plans to go to Angola and Zambia as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. James Story, the ambassador to Angola on Wednesday, tried to calm fears. Lobito Atlantic Railways executives, European diplomats and Angolan officials accompanied Story on a project tour in Angola. Story replied: "Not for the time being." When asked if the funding of the Lobito Corridor was in danger, Story responded: We are working on all the projects we have with DFC, Exim Bank and the DFC. Story stated that "we're not moving away from the project as some organisations claim." Angola awarded a 30-year concession for the Lobito corridor to a joint venture led by Trafigura and Mota-Engil, a construction giant, as well as independent rail operator Vecturis SA, in 2022. The first phase of this venture involves refurbishing a 1,300 km railway in Angola, and extending it to the mining heartland of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will facilitate the export of copper and cobalt along the Atlantic coast. The second phase, currently under feasibility studies, would connect Zambia - Africa’s second largest producer of copper after the DRC. Francisco Franca, CEO of Lobito Atlantic Railways, who took part in the tour, stated that DFC financing contracts are "currently at the final stage". Franca stated that "in two to three months, we will have contracts signed. Then the international financing procedure will follow." Rosario Bento said that the Western governments, including the U.S., remain committed to the Lobito Corridor project. She said, "The United States is interested in the region. They are already receiving raw materials through the Lobito Corridor." "I do not see the United States as being disinterested by something that they already benefit from," she said. Reporting by Miguel Gomes, Writing by Nelson Banya, Editing by Olivia Kumwenda Mtambo and Andrew Heavens
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Maersk: Trump tariffs are bad for the global economy and trade
Maersk, a shipping company, said that on Thursday the tariffs announced on Wednesday by U.S. president Donald Trump are bad news for global trade and the economy. Trump's decision to slap 10% tariffs on the majority of goods imported into the United States as well as higher levies against dozens rivals and allies has intensified a trade war around world that could stoke inflation or halt growth. Maersk stated in a written statement that the tariff plan announced by U.S. officials was important, but in its current format, it is not good news for global trade, economic stability, or security. It is too early to predict with certainty how the situation will end up. It added. The second largest container shipping company in the world said that it expects customers to be more careful about their inventory levels. It also predicts a short-term spike in air freight orders for the U.S., before tariffs are implemented. (Reporting and editing by Terje Solsvik, Stine Jacobsen)
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The traders' union reports that Ukraine's main sunoil exports fell 20% y/y in March.
Ukraine, which is the largest sunflower oil exporter in the world, has reduced its exports of sunoil to 503,000 tons in March, down from 629,000 tonnes a year ago, according to the Ukrainian traders' union UGA. Analysts have stated that the union has not given a reason for this decrease, while some sunoil refineries have been forced to stop production and exports due to a spike in sunflower seed prices locally caused by a smaller crop. After a record-breaking 6.2 million tons of soybeans were harvested in 2024, refineries began processing the crop. UGA reported that soybean oil exports increased to 57,000 tonnes in March 2025, compared with 31,000 tons of March 2024. The Ukrainian UCAB agriculture business association stated earlier this year, that Ukraine's exports of sunoil could drop to 4,74 million tonnes in the 2024/25 seasons from 6,25 million tons during 2023/24 season as the sunseed crop fell to 11,00 tons from 14,00. UCAB reported this week that Ukraine's total agricultural exports for March increased 9.8% compared to the previous month, reaching 5.4 million metric tonnes. The report said that while all product categories showed growth, the biggest increase was seen in the oilseed processing products. (Reporting and editing by Shri Navaratnam.)
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BNSF claims its freight train has derailed in Arkansas after a storm
The United States BNSF Railway said on Wednesday that it received a preliminary report about a derailment of a train near Bay, a city in Arkansas' northeastern region. This area was also hit by tornadoes and storms earlier in the day. BNSF didn't specify the cause of the derailment but stated that the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The railroad group stated that the mainline was affected by the derailment, and an estimate time for the reopening of the track has not been determined. On Wednesday, tornadoes tore across the central and southern United States, destroying houses and businesses as well as power lines and trees. CNN reported that the severe storms affected multiple cities, including Bay, in Craighead County, Arkansas. County administrator Brandon Shrader was cited by CNN. BNSF declined to comment on a request made outside of regular business hours. (Reporting and editing by Janane Vekatraman in Bengaluru. Shubham Kalya, Bengaluru)
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BNSF claims its freight train has derailed in Arkansas after a storm
BNSF Railway in the United States said on Wednesday that it received a preliminary report about a derailment of a train near Bay, a city in Arkansas' northeastern region. The area was also hit by tornadoes and storms earlier in the day. BNSF didn't specify the cause of the derailment but stated that the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The railroad group stated that the mainline was affected by the derailment, and an estimate time for the reopening of the track has not been determined. On Wednesday, tornadoes tore across the central and southern United States, destroying houses and businesses as well as power lines and trees. CNN reported that the severe storms affected multiple cities, including Bay, in Craighead County, Arkansas. County administrator Brandon Shrader was cited by CNN. BNSF declined to comment on a request made outside of regular business hours. (Reporting and editing by Janane Vekatraman in Bengaluru. Shubham Kalya, Bengaluru)
Trump says the US will retake back the Panama Canal by invoking an expansionist agenda
Donald Trump, the newly sworn in President of the United States, promised on Monday to take back the Panama Canal during his inauguration speech. He invoked the 19th-century expansionist doctrine "Manifest Destiny."
Trump reaffirmed his threat made before his inauguration to regain control of the canal. He accused Panama of not fulfilling its promises to transfer the strategic waterway to the United States in 1999, and of transferring the operation to China. The Panamanian government has denied these claims.
"We didn't hand it over to China." Trump said, "We gave it to Panama and we're bringing it back."
He did not provide any further details about when or how this would be done, but had refused to rule out the possibility of using military force in the past. This drew both criticism and praise from Washington's Latin American allies and enemies.
On Monday, Panama's president Jose Raul Mulino responded to X by saying that his country had administered the canal for world trade including the U.S. and that "it is and will continue be Panamanian."
Trump's repeated threat to close the Panama Canal at the beginning of his second term is his most obvious mention of a territorial expansion agenda that he has laid down in recent weeks.
He also spoke of acquiring Greenland and turning Canada into an American state in the lead-up to his inauguration.
Possible encouragement for Russia, China Ambitions
Some critics have said that Trump's language resembles imperialism of the modern day. They claim this could be used to encourage Russia to continue its war in Ukraine, and to justify China if they decide to invade Taiwan.
Analysts have questioned if Trump is serious in his plans to pursue what critics call a land grab. They speculate that he could be setting up an extreme position for negotiating concessions. Trump's first term, from 2017 to 2021, was also known for making headline-grabbing pronouncements and threats that he did not follow through on.
Trump did not mention Greenland or Canada during his first four-year term, but he gave hints about territorial ambitions in his second four year term.
He said: "The United States once again will consider itself as a growing nation. One that expands its territory, builds cities, raises expectations, and carries the flag to new and beautiful horizons."
Trump continued, "We will continue to pursue our Manifest Destiny in the stars by launching American astronauts who will plant the stars on Mars."
Manifest Destiny was a term coined by the United States in the 1880s to describe the belief that the U.S. had a God-given right to expand their control across North America. It was used as a justification to seize land from Mexico and Native Americans.
In his Monday speech, Trump reiterated his promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Trump claimed that the U.S. "foolishly gave" the Panama Canal to Panama.
For decades, the United States built and governed the territory around the canal. In 1977, the United States signed two accords with Panama that allowed the canal to be returned to Panamanian control. After a period of joint management, the United States returned it to Panama in 1999.
Panama has broken its promise to us. We have been treated badly by this stupid gift. Trump stated that the spirit and purpose of our agreement have been violated.
He claimed that U.S. vessels are "being overcharged severely and not being treated fairly in any shape or form." Panama insists that it treats all vessels fairly that transit the Canal, and says that China has no influence over its administration.
China does not administer or control the canal. However, a Hong Kong-based subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings0001.HK has managed two ports at the Caribbean and Pacific entrances for many years.
The 82-km-long (51-mile-long) canal connects the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean through Panama. It is vital for U.S. imports, such as autos, commercial goods, and liquefied gas, by container ships coming from Asia. Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Elida Moreno and Katharine Jackson, in Panama City. Matt Spetalnick wrote the article. Don Durfee edited it.
(source: Reuters)