Copy of The Economic Perspective 5/9/2025

The Latest Trending Economic, Environmental and Infrastructure News Curated for You by The Balmoral Group

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Happy Friday!

And good afternoon! We hope you're having a pleasant May and that the weather is bright and sunny. Out here in Washington, we hope -at least- that it's not too rainy! In this edition of the Economic Perspective, we begin by looking at the effects on the construction industry of uncertainty in trade between China and the U.S., where tariffs have been in flux, yet a tentative agreement seems to be in the works. 

In addition, we highlight stories of cooperation; how China is working with Brazil to substitute U.S. soybean, how Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife are co-managing land with a Tribal Nation (in a first for the state), how birds are adapting to the increased adoption of solar arrays, and more. Our data visualization presents recent work from the Washington Department of Ecology that uses a dashboard to show where in Washington you can bring a reusable cup to get discounts and help the environment while you're at it. 

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think would be interested. If you’d like to view previous editions please click here, or to subscribe please click here!

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

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U.S. 90-day Trade Agreement with China Prolongs Uncertainty

On May 12, the U.S. and China announced a temporary 90-day trade agreement as the two countries continue negotiating for a more permanent deal. The construction industry is cautiously optimistic that the news will reignite some construction planning that had been put on hold, but Dodge Construction warns of a mini-pandemic style supply chain disruption since shipping traffic from China stalled. Read more here.

Springwood Ranch: A Historic Handshake Between State and Tribe

In a landmark move, the Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have become co-owners and co-managers of Springwood Ranch, a 3,600-acre property in Central Washington. This partnership marks the state's first co-management of land with a Tribal Nation. Once a gathering place for trade and celebration, the land now holds promise for ecological restoration and cultural preservation. The collaboration is part of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, aiming to enhance water storage, support salmon migration, and ensure sustainable agriculture. While public access remains limited during planning, this alliance sets a precedent for cooperative stewardship of ancestral lands. Read more here.

Germany on Track for 2030 Climate Goal, Future Targets at Risk, Government Advisers Say

Germany is on track to meet its 2021-2030 climate goal but risks missing post-2030 targets. Germany’s goals of cutting emissions by 65% from 1990 levels will likely be achieved in part due to the covid pandemic and industrial slow down. However, forest degradation will likely lead to more long-term targets not being reached. The new coalition government in Germany is looking to focus on areas of the economy where emissions are not falling. Sectors such as transport and construction did not meet their 2024 targets and have performed worse than last year. Dealing with these two sectors has been a challenge as the German government tries to balance climate protection with affordability. Read more here and here.

Florida Farm Bill Signed into Law

With the signing of the 2025 Florida Farm Bill by Governor Ron DeSantis, SB 700 has been approved as Florida’s newest state law. The legislation focuses on enhancing agricultural resilience, strengthening food safety and labeling transparency, prohibiting anti-farmer ESG lending discrimination, and more. The law strongly supports the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and addresses nearly every aspect of the department’s responsibilities. Read more about it here.

China Plans World’s Largest Export Terminal in Brazil to Substitute for U.S. Soybean

U.S. and China trade talks remain volatile, with uncertainty affecting many in agriculture. Concerns persist over China’s growing ties with Brazil, including plans to build the world’s largest export terminal in Brazil to replace U.S. soybeans. Many farmers express worry about the financial outlook, citing low crop prices and reduced insurance guarantees. The U.S. and China plan to continue trade discussions but have yet to set a timeline. AgWeb.

Supporting the Coexistence of Birds and Solar Energy

A study by the University of California, Davis, published in Nature Water, was among the first to identify key factors for aligning renewable energy expansion with the protection of biodioversity. It explored how floating solar systems, or floatovoltaics, can share space with waterbirds that depend on aquatic habitats. During their field work, researchers from the Wild Energy Center observed black-crowned night herons resting on floating solar panels before dawn, double-crested cormorants competing for ideal spots, and black phoebes nesting beneath the panels, along with other bird activities around the installations. They have primarily noted positive interactions between waterbirds and floating solar systems, along with added advantages for humans. Read more here.

FDOT Announces Recipients of 2025 Aggregate Grant Program

In a recent announcement from the Florida Department of Transportation, over $19.5 million has been awarded in continued investments to help strengthen the state’s storage capacity and efficiency of movement for aggregate, material that is essential for asphalt and concrete production. Building off of $18 million that was awarded last year, the Aggregate Grant Program provides millions of dollars every year to Florida seaport and rail partners to maximize the state’s aggregate storage capabilities and maintain a dependable, readily available supply of aggregate for highway, street, and bridge construction across the state. Read more about this year’s grant award recipients here.

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Data Visualization of the Week

50 billion disposable cups a year in US: Mapping ways you can help in WA

A new visualization by the Washington Department of Ecology shows where people across the state can get discounts on coffee by bringing their own cup. Below, markers shown in yellow offer discounts for bringing one’s own coffee cup, while green markers show places that will fill your cup without a discount attached. The visualization emphasizes the virtues of reusable coffee cups; less waste, monetary savings, and reduced microplastic intake. The effort is especially important, given that more than 50 billion disposable coffee cups are used in America every year, with only a small fraction being recycled. The interactive dashboard is available here. Image courtesy of Washington Department of Ecology.