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A surge in COVID-19 cases is starting to impact American meat-processing operations in another potential threat to food supply chains that were upended in the early stages of the pandemic.

The U.S. trade deficit widened 1.7% in October to $63.1 billion. The politically sensitive gap in the trade of goods with China and Mexico grew.

The U.S. labor market rebound slowed markedly in November, indicating the surge in COVID-19 cases is hitting workers and curbing the broader economic recovery as the unemployment rate edged down to 6.7%

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives selected Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri to lead their efforts on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during the 117th Congress.

Smithfield Foods Inc., the world’s biggest pork producer, is willing to share space in its ultra-low-temperature freezers to store COVID-19 vaccines, the company said Dec. 3 in an emailed statement.

Leaders in the food transportation sector are working together to share lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before adjourning for the year, top Democrats on Capitol Hill are not ruling out the possibility of advancing a nearly $1 trillion COVID-19 package that includes aid for transportation networks.

The chairman of a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance working group focused on hemp said that while interstate transport of the substance is legal, potential risks remain for motor carriers and drivers hauling it.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies reached an agreement to ease its oil-output cuts next year more gradually than previously planned, giving a fragile market more time to absorb the extra supply.

Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by the most in almost two months, offering some hope that the gradual recovery in the job market will continue despite a spike in COVID-19 infections and renewed business restrictions.