What is noticeable is that in the last couple days, the reporting on a potential Butler swap has shifted (at least somewhat) from rival teams griping about mixed messages from the Wolves to actual interest. Information seems to be drying up, which — contrary to what it might seem — could be an indication that actual talks are getting more serious. ESPN reported early Thursday that talks between the Wolves and Heat were ongoing, but asking price was a sticking point. The lead of that story was this: The Minnesota Timberwolves’ asking price to trade All-Star forward Jimmy Butler remains quality veterans, top prospects, future assets and salary-cap relief, which is presently too steep of a package for interested teams, league sources told ESPN. The story also suggested teams are skeptical that Wolves coach/basketball president Tom Thibodeau really wants to trade Butler, but that could also be interpreted that teams are frustrated because Thibodeau has set … [Read more...] about What should the Timberwolves realistically expect in a Jimmy Butler trade?
Trade
U.S. hog inventory on par; Now look towards trade vs. futures
As of Sept. 1, the U.S. hog inventory has taken a 3% jump from 2017, coming in with 75.5 million, which includes a 6.33 million breeding herd — a record relevant to June 1999. The numbers were detailed in the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published Thursday by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. According to Steve Meyer, Kerns and Associates, the breeding herd was up 3.5%, while analysts had previously forecast a 3.1% increase. Of the 75.5 million hogs and pigs, 69.2 million were market hogs. That’s up 2.9%, where analysts expected it to be around 3.5%. Between June and August, 34.2 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, a 3% increase from the same time period one year earlier. From June through August, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 10.72 pigs per litter. U.S. hog producers intend to have 3.16 million sows farrow between September and November, and 3.12 million sows farrow between December and February 2019. Len Steiner, … [Read more...] about U.S. hog inventory on par; Now look towards trade vs. futures
China, at UN, says it won’t be ‘blackmailed’ on trade
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Tangled in an escalating trade dispute with the United States, China's top diplomat insisted Friday that his country "will not be blackmailed" or bow to pressure."Protectionism will only hurt oneself, and unilateral moves will bring damage to all," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders.He spoke in a week when Washington and Beijing both raised tariffs on each other's products, and U.S. President Donald Trump alleged that China is meddling in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections because it opposes his trade policies. China denies the claim, and Wang did not address the issue in his speech."China will not be blackmailed or yield to pressure," Wang said, describing his country's moves as defending not just its own interests but the system of global trade. Noting that China spent more than a decade negotiating its membership in that system, he said his country has fulfilled its promises and is committed to resolving … [Read more...] about China, at UN, says it won’t be ‘blackmailed’ on trade
At Fundraiser, Trump Praises ‘Tremendous’ Kavanaugh, Claims Upper Hand on Trade
WASHINGTON—President Trump praised the performance of his Supreme Court nominee, joked about a supporter’s divorce and claimed the upper hand in the trade negotiations with Canada during an 80-minute, campaign-style speech he delivered Thursday night at a private fundraiser, according to people who attended the event. Described by attendees as energized and enthusiastic, the president arrived late to the party inside a ballroom at his Washington hotel, then delivered a lengthy speech in front of 300 people, including about... … [Read more...] about At Fundraiser, Trump Praises ‘Tremendous’ Kavanaugh, Claims Upper Hand on Trade
China, You’re An Embarrassment On Trade
Opinion China’s recent effort to pose as the world’s savior on free trade may work in a country where the government controls the public’s access to information, but the rest of the world isn’t buying it. China has spent decades flagrantly engaging in unfair trade practices, including intellectual property theft, state subsidies of business, and barriers to foreign competitors. And, as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. To the surprise of many, the trade war with China hasn’t halted America’s strong economic momentum. The stock market didn’t even flinch when the recent round of tariffs went into effect on September 24, unemployment continues to fall and economic growth is surging. China, on the other hand, is showing signs of weaker economic growth, slowing investment, and deteriorating profits. Rather than embarrassing itself by peddling its propaganda around the globe, China would be better off putting … [Read more...] about China, You’re An Embarrassment On Trade