CBOT wheat falters on rain relief in US Plains

CHICAGO, April 15 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures edged lower for a second day after weather forecasts predicted wetter growing conditions in the U.S. wheat belt, while tensions with major trading partners continued to weigh heavily on the market.

• CBOT May soft red winter wheat WK25 settled down 5-1/2 cents to $5.42 per bushel.

• K.C. May hard red winter wheat KWK25 ended down 2-1/4 cents at $5.53 a bushel and Minneapolis May spring wheat MWEK25 fell 3-1/2 cents to end at $6.01-1/4 a bushel.

• Analysts said the White House's sweeping tariffs on major trading partners have given foreign buyers little incentive to purchase U.S. products.

• Weather forecasts predicted much-needed rain next week in the U.S. Plains, as well as in cropping regions in France and Germany.

• The USDA in a weekly crop progress report on Monday rated 47% of the U.S. winter wheat crop in good to excellent condition, down from 48% a week earlier.

• Traders are also waiting for more news on U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies.