John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by the National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, and Renewable Fuels Association. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.

And now for today’s commentary –

The transition to a new President and new team to lead our country is in process. However, Joe Biden will not step into the White House until January 20th. In the meantime, there is still work to be done. The federal government will shut down on December 11th unless Congress passes legislation to fund and keep our government operating. Also, there is still some hope that along with that bill, the Congress will include some money to support those unemployed and those suffering from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Other unfinished business, what about China? President Trump has challenged China’s trade
policies and policies of international dominance. Now other countries in Europe, Asia, and
around the world may be ready to join with us and demand reform. Did you know that China is
designated as a “developing country” by the World Trade Organization? Therefore, China is
authorized to use mass subsidies and distort world trade. That is outrageous. I’m not sure tariffs
and a trade war are the best way to hammer China into line, but we did get their attention. Now,
maybe with the support of other developed nations, we can get China to play by some new rules.
Speaking of new rules, we need some new rules for the EPA. They need to stop giving special
favors to the small refineries. The Renewable Fuel Standard requires that 15 billion gallons of
ethanol must be blended. Maybe President Biden could get this done. We can only hope that
President Biden will keep the pressure on the member nations of NATO to pay their agreed share
of the cost. That share is 2% of their nation’s GDP. Only 10 member nations out of 30 are
paying that. The European nations need to realize that their security is at risk. They need to
understand it is not just a U.S. responsibility. I’m afraid that President Trump’s insistence on
cutting regulations will be turned back by the new political team. That could be very costly to
our country and to the food and ag industry. I can just imagine government regulations telling us
how to run our farms.

Finally, who will be our next Secretary of Agriculture? Let’s hope it is someone with close ties to rural America and agriculture. Next week Randy Russell, a close friend and respected ag advisor here in DC will deliver the commentary.

Until next week, this John Block reporting from Washington, D.C. If you would like to review
my radio shows going back more than 20 years, just go on-line to www.johnblockreports.com.