Floor Talk March 3

[Palouser]

Food commodity embargoes aren't part of foreign policy anymore. Sanctions now would be of the financial kind. Like seizing/freezing the foreign assets of Russian oligarchs, etc. There are additional financial restrictions that could hurt the Russians. Economically they are quite vulnerable and isolated. Their big club is gas exports to Europe. If it was the beginning of winter that would be a REAL threat. If this situation isn't resolved soon I see NG prices in the US rising as we make moves to step in for security reasons.

[Wind]

Could that effect LP prices too?  Winter is far from over here.  I'll need to buy some in about 30 days.

Two mornings in a row of -10*

[Palouser]

Seems like every energy dealer changes prices quickly to make sure replacement costs don't outpace profits. Keep a watch on gas and oil. You might get a break of a few days if they go up but fuel at the pumps seems to react very quickly.

I don't think prices are headed down for awhile. I'm not familiar w/ how quickly P reacts to NG feedstocks for it.

[ag-?]

Economic sanctions may backfire on the west it may put pressure on Russia but if Russia reacts back by cutting western Europes natural gas what will be effects on the West economies. Also China has to be sitting weeighing its options here too with Russia they could step in being buyer of Russian energy at lower prices. Also if Russia is successful in retaking Ukraine then we better be prepared for China to make a play for Taiwan in near future. Were seeing way to many hot spots in the world and then we get back to Iran in middle east and Israel  i bet tensions rise here as well when rest of world is focused on China and Russia. The US is being pushed and prodded and there's open displays of defiance by some countries by war ships off our coasts not serious threat but very symbolic show that would not happened 10 years ago. We have very naive leadership not believing  that there are still bullies and thugs around the world we have not advanced as far as these people think. History has way of repeating or mirroring itself and i think were about repeat some of last century again i just hope were as lucky as we were in the past half century of no major conflicts outright war between major parties.

[sw363535]

Were food sanctions a part of foreign policy in carters day?  As I remember it was a terrible suprise at the time, following an event that looked strong for grains.   With weak leadership anything is possible if it makes political sense.  And pain in the midwest and agriculture is a low cost political move.

[too close for comfort]

Wow you really don't want to be out of touch with the markets for a few hours or you miss the whole rally.

[Hobbyfarmer]

There was a rally?

[Palouser]

Russia was a big grain importer at the time. When Russia invaded Afghanistan it was one of the few ways to attempt to apply pressure. But Europe ignored the embargo in less than a year and even Canada followed eventually. We lost big sales. But there was no way t project power directly art the time without threatening the USSR directly w/ military means and they were behind the Warsaw Pact fence. There was little we could do unless Russia had a large crop failure. Eventually we aided and supported the mujahadeen and dinally supplied them with stingers through the efforts of a Dem Confgressman from Texas. 'Charlie's War'.

[c-x-1]

right, a knee jerk rxn.........video a good reminder of the "shrinking" nads of US on the world stage.