Ag groups make a last-minute push as time ticks for Trump’s tariff plan implementation

President Trump’s tariff plan is slated to take effect this afternoon. It is a move months in the making, but now a number of ag groups are making a last-minute push, asking the Administration to reconsider.

Groups like the Farm Bureau, the National Farmers Union, and NASDA have all signed a letter to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, writing that sweeping tariffs would have negative consequences for the U.S. ag industry. They warn that retaliation would create hardships for farmers and ranchers who never recovered from the last round of tariffs.

They are asking for trade policy that advances U.S. agriculture and prioritizes new market access. President Trump is expected to enact the new trade policy this afternoon at 4:00 Eastern.

Not every industry is worried about the President’s plan, though. The Southern Shrimp Alliance welcomes tariffs, urging the President to effectively raise the price of foreign shrimp. The group accuses the Treasury Department of allowing foreign companies to directly compete with American fishermen and say it is causing multi-generational businesses to close shop. They hope tariffs will boost domestic production.

Related Stories
Callahan is no stranger to agricultural trade and has been with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office since 2016.
Record ethanol production, coupled with stronger demand, supports corn use despite tighter margins elsewhere.
A new maritime biofuels coalition aims to position ocean shipping as a significant growth market for U.S. crops and waste-derived fuels.
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
Auction manager and West Texas A&M University student Presley Graves joined us to discuss the growth of StockShowAuctions.com and its impact on youth in agriculture.
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
Mike Knotts with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association joined us with the latest on storm impacts, power restoration, and safety considerations following the ice storm.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.