CBOT corn creeps higher on relief over US tariffs

Feb 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ended slightly higher on Thursday, underpinned by relief that U.S. tariffs have not sparked full-blown trade conflicts, analysts said.

• The suspension of planned U.S. tariffs against Canada and Mexico, as well as measured Chinese counter-tariffs that did not include crops, have supported grain prices this week.

• Persistent concerns over crop damage from dryness in Argentina, the world's No. 3 corn exporter, helped lift futures, analysts said. Beneficial rains fell in central Argentina this week, though crops have already been stressed, they said.

• Export demand for U.S. corn has been solid, traders said.

• Weekly 2024-25 export sales of U.S. corn were 1,477,200 tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, toward the high end of estimates for 850,000 to 1,500,000 tons.

• Mexico, the biggest importer of U.S. corn, has repealed restrictions on shipments of genetically modified corn for human, livestock and industrial uses following a U.S. victory in a North America trade panel dispute.

• CBOT March corn CH25 ended 2 cents stronger at $4.95-1/4 a bushel.