Deere Finishes Year Strong and Greer Nominated U.S. Trade Representative

**John Deere finished the year stronger than expected after aggressively cutting production and seeing solid demand for new tractors and precision ag technology.

The Illinois-based tractor giant reported a net profit of $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter compared to $2.4 billion last year as farmers grappled with high interest rates and low commodity prices.

Sales and revenue totaled $11.1 billion, down 28% from a year ago.

**U.S. red meat exports are growing in Cuba due in part to an expansion of private sector buying.

To help exporters capitalize on the opportunity, the U.S. Meat Export Federation held an educational seminar in Miami, bringing exporters and buyers together.

Through September, U.S. pork exports to Cuba totaled over 5,800 metric tons, up 322% from last year, and up 236% in value.

Beef exports are up 1,500% from last year.

**Jamieson Greer is President-elect Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative and will help steer the incoming president’s trade agenda.

A graduate of the University of Virginia’s Law School, Greer was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Rep during Trump’s first term.

The goal will be to focus on reigning in the country’s massive trade deficit, defending American manufacturing, agriculture, and services, and opening up export markets everywhere.