ASIA-PACIFIC | Japan's Small Businesses Pessimistic as Larger Companies Trim ...

ASIA-PACIFIC

Japan's Small Businesses Pessimistic as Larger Companies Trim Spending Japan's small businesses were pessimistic about their prospects this month as larger companies trimmed orders of supplies in response to faltering exports. More...

Japanese Banks' Earnings Improve  TOKYO (AP) - Three of Japan's four biggest banks reported an improvement in their first half earnings Monday in advance of the government's expected announcement later this week of plans to help banks reduce their bad debts.

Corporate execs paint gloomy picture of economy in survey (Asahi) Business leaders say state of U.S. economy is both their biggest fear and hope.

Japan, DPRK ties talks unlikely before end of the year: official Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will not resume normalization talks before the end of the year, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said Tuesday.

Hong Kong's Exports Rose Greater-Than-Expected 12.9 Percent in October Hong Kong's exports rose more than expected in October. More...

Feed costs outstrip pork prices Skyrocketing prices for feed grain are forcing pig producers out of the industry. [FULL STORY]

Produce anthrax vaccine locally – Cattle Council In the face of a new outbreak of Anthrax disease in north-west Victoria, the Cattle Council of Australia is calling for the disease vaccine to be produced domestically. [FULL STORY]

Australian beef prices could reach record levels Australian analysts tip that beef supplies will tighten and prices rise next year, possibly back to near record levels. [FULL STORY]

AMERICAS

USDA issues veiled threat to Mexico over NAFTA - The News Staff - A top U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official on Monday hinted at possible consequences if Mexico grants protection for its farmers when almost all tariffs on U.S. farm products disappear next year. Although he didn't make a specific threat of retaliation, USDA Undersecretary J.B. Penn said support for free trade would be undermined by such measures.... Full  Story

Mexico, Japan reaffirm free trade commitments Mexico and Japan reaffirmed their readiness Monday to promote bilateral talks to approve a free trade agreement (FTA), Japanese officials said. A meeting between Finance Secretary Francisco Gil... Full  Story

EUROPE/RUSSIA/ME

EU to Open Domestic Energy Markets Homeowners in the European Union will be able to choose their gas and electricity suppliers starting in July 2007, under liberalization agreement among EU energy ministers Monday.

Seghers Newsham Teams with European Company - 11/22/2002  Company sees Gentec joint venture as first step in forming a new worldwide genetics company.

Danish Crown Pays Pig and Cattle Members DKK 1.2 billion  11/26/2002 Danish Crown shows international competitiveness in spite of merger costs.

Danish Goods Delayed at Border (Moscow) An unexplained pile-up of Danish goods at the Russian border may be linked to a spat over Chechnya.

USA

Deal Reached on West Coast Port Issues And there's more information and perspective available. 11/25/2002

Wanted: Your Feedback on USDA Personnel & Ag Trade/Policy  Views wanted on key policy issues11/25/2002

Business Economists Reduce U.S. Economic Growth Forecasts for 2002, 2003 The U.S. economy will grow more slowly over the next six months than anticipated two months ago, according to a survey by the National Association for Business Economics. More...

Bush Wants to Form Agency to Distribute $5 Billion in Aid to Poor Nations President George W. Bush will propose creating an independent corporation to administer $5 billion in new development aid for countries that battle corruption, open markets, and invest in health and education, senior administration officials said. More...

Bush to Call for New Foreign Aid Agency (Post, Nov. 26, 2002) The Bush administration has decided to propose the creation of a federal corporation, separate from the Agency for International Development, to administer its proposed fund for countries that adopt sound economic policies and attack corruption, administration officials said yesterday.

U.S. Puts Major Ag Export Tool on the Auction Block - 11/26/2002  USDA export credit may vanish in WTO negotiations.

Hog Slaughter Capacity Should Remain Sufficient - 11/21/2002  Lower weights should also help support hog prices.

Report: Ranches are Rangeland Saviors - 11/26/2002 Biologist says ranches do a better job than refuges in preserving biological diversity.

Tyson: No plea bargain in smuggling case Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods said that they would not pay a $100 million fine that would allow them to avoid the prosecution of two executives and four former managers on charges of conspiring to smuggle illegal immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras to work in its poultry plants.

Swift agrees to slow line speeds to settle fecal matter issue with USDA Swift & Co. officials have reportedly agreed to slow the line speeds at their Greeley, Colo., beef packing plant, according to a story in the Denver Post.

BSE Study Moves Ahead 11/26/2002 Check-off supported research is aimed at providing medicine with a clearer picture into the brain-wasting disease.