Source:  POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 1/23/19

China has made some significant purchases of U.S. soybeans in recent weeks, and some have seen that as a sign of progress in U.S.-China trade talks. But Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan remains unimpressed with the amount.

Beijing's big soybean buys, including 1.13 million tons and then another 300,000 metric tons, have come after the Dec. 1 tariff truce that created a 90-day negotiating window in the larger U.S.-China talks, POLITICO reported. But in an interview with Bloomberg TV, MacLennan was quick to note that the U.S. used to send some 30 million metric tons of soybeans to China. "Certainly, we are not back to those kinds of volumes," he said.

Trump's push for 'tariffs—tariffs!': A new book from a former White House official sheds light on some chaotic decision-making on trade policy in the Trump administration. During one meeting with senior officials in which there was disagreement, Trump reportedly interjected: "I want tariffs — tariffs! Can anyone in this room of geniuses bring me some tariffs?"

The tidbit is from "Team of Vipers" by Cliff Sims, who served as director of strategic messaging at the White House before leaving last year.