Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 8/8/18

The U.S.' chief agricultural negotiator is attacking both China and India for exceeding their WTO spending limits on farm subsidies that distort trade. "We think China has done in excess of $100 billion more in subsidies to its farmers than it was allowed to do," Gregg Doud said at the American Sugar Alliance's International Sweetener Symposium in Traverse City, Mich., according to an ASA news release verified by USTR.

He accused India of vastly exceeding its subsidy limits on rice and wheat, while also drawing attention to the country's recent moves to increase subsidies to its sugar producer as a cushion against a drop in world prices. "I can't think of a commodity that is more distorted," he said. "If you think there's a problem in steel, take a look at the sugar market."

Certainty needed: Doud also tried to allay concerns about the Trump administration's trade policy, which has disrupted agricultural markets for the past year and a half. He told the group that the administration was pushing to quickly wrap up talks on NAFTA and looking for new export opportunities in Canada, Japan and Europe.

"Everybody understands the importance of agriculture with regard to trade in this country," Doud said. "Uncertainty in commodity markets is always bearish, so what we have to do in short order is create certainty.