How ‘America First’ Trade Policy and SCOTUS Tariff Decision Could Impact Farmland Values

Jeramy Stephens with National Land Realty explains how the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and ongoing ‘America First’ trade policy raise new questions about U.S. farmland values and agricultural market stability.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (RFD NEWS) — The Trump Administration’s 2026 trade agenda will continue its “America First” approach. White House officials say that, despite a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, tariffs will stay in place, selective trade deals will move forward, and critical industries, including minerals used in fertilizer production, will be supported.

The agenda highlights recent agreements with the European Union and Indonesia. Officials also plan agricultural trade missions to connect U.S. producers with overseas buyers. A new “plurilateral” agreement on critical minerals, including phosphate and potash, is in the works to strengthen domestic supply chains.

And USDA says the agricultural trade deficit is expected to fall to $29 billion this fiscal year, down from about $50 billion last year. Undersecretary Luke Lindberg calls it a 43-percent drop and says export gains in dairy, ethanol, and corn have driven the improvement.

The USDA says efforts to expand export markets will continue as the team aims to return to a trade surplus.

From geopolitical tensions to the Supreme Court’s recent tariff ruling, uncertainty continues to ripple across agricultural markets. Those unknowns don’t just impact commodity prices — they can also influence the land market, where confidence and long-term outlook play a critical role.

Jeramy Stephens with National Land Realty joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the latest developments could mean for agricultural landowners.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Stephens discussed the Supreme Court ruling and what it could mean for those who own farmland, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in the current market. He also offered guidance to property owners navigating ongoing market uncertainty and highlighted factors to watch for those considering selling farmland in 2026.

Stephens noted that demand for premium farmland remains strong, making it important for owners to stay informed on market conditions and opportunities.

Related Stories
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
Farmers await concrete trade commitments from China. Until then, export prospects for soybeans, corn, and sorghum remain uncertain against strong South American competition.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today issued a new memorandum to modernize and strengthen America’s wildfire prevention and response system.
Understanding the Big, Beautiful Bill’s complex impact on SNAP benefits – that’s the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s legal expert, Roger McEowen.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Among many longstanding traditions at the FFA Convention & Expo is the National FFA Band.
Pork producers are making Veterans Day a little brighter for Iowa’s military families.
While there has been an increase in outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) this migration season, the CDC says the public health risk is low.
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
If confirmed, early Chinese buys tighten nearby Gulf/PNW capacity and could bump basis in export-oriented regions.
Alan Bjerga, Senior Vice President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shares updates and resources available to dairy producers.