Chief economist provides an outlook for the US economy at Sweetener Colloquium.

Declines in Midwest, Mid-Atlantic offset by increases in Texas, Michigan, Virginia.

New government policies, regulations add challenges.

Analysts at recent Colloquium provide outlooks on global sugar market.

USDA chief talks trade, relief money and reversing rural America’s decline.

High-tier imports also threaten US-Mexico sugar agreement.

Tariffs will increase food prices, FMI source says.

Notes $23.6 billion gap with EU.

China hits back with 15% tariffs on corn, 10% on soybeans.

Retaliatory tariffs from Canada and China target agricultural inputs.