Good morning. Here’s the Daily Situational Awareness for Tuesday, 29 June 2001. You can receive this brief by email by signing up at https://forwardobserver.com/daily-sa
INFRASTRUCTURE: Progressive Democrats continue to push for a partisan infrastructure bill that includes climate spending, a pathway for citizenship, and funding for immigration programs, among other non-infrastructure special interests. While a bipartisan infrastructure bill is still being hammered out, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) warned, “Let me be clear: There will not be a bipartisan infrastructure deal without a reconciliation bill that substantially improves the lives of working families and combats the existential threat of climate change. No reconciliation bill, no deal. We need transformative change NOW.” – M.S.
PORK: China is reporting rising infections of African swine fever (ASF) on pork farms. The Chinese government started adding to its national strategic pork stores, although increased foreign imports have also bolstered supplies. While ASF does not infect humans, it is highly contagious among pigs and can lead to high mortality rates and mass cullings. The USDA is on “high alert” for a potential spread, and has developed contingency plans for an outbreak. The U.S. hasn’t experienced outbreaks of ASF, however, increased pork purchasing from China, where pork is the main source of protein, could affect pork prices domestically. Smithfield Foods, for instance, is the largest domestic pork producer, is also wholly owned by the Chinese, and also exports large amounts of pork to China. Meanwhile, a new strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is mangling pork production in the United States. High construction and feed costs are prohibitive for hog farmers trying to expand domestic production. – M.S.
SEIZED: Cargo inspections by US customs are being credited with added delays in shipping operations. So far this year, nearly 700 loads were seized because the US suspects products were made with forced labor in China. Retailers are tasked with understanding their supply chain and complying with the new regulation ahead of the Christmas shopping season. – D.M.
In today’s Early Warning, we look at the most recent developments in Far Left radical and militant activity. Tomorrows’ Early Warning focuses on Chinese and Russian activity in the United States. You can get our full Early Warning briefing by becoming a subscriber here: https://forwardobserver.com/early-warning