*Nicaragua’s government led by President Daniel Ortega has announced a new agreement signed by the country’s agricultural protection and health institute (IPSA) and China’s customs authority (GACC) regarding the export of Nicaraguan beef to China. According to Nicaraguan state media el19digital, the agreement is a “fundamental pillar” of the country’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Beijing, negotiations regarding which were concluded on 26 July. In May an early harvest deal with China, part of the FTA, entered effect after being approved in September last year by Nicaragua’s legislature. The FTA is due to enter effect in January 2024 and follows the establishment of bilateral relations between China and Nicaragua in December 2021 after the Ortega government severed ties with Taiwan.