Analyst: Is President Trump putting tariffs on the wrong items?

Tariffs will be top of mind as Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins gets to work at the helm of the USDA. They are a big part of President Trump’s agenda, but some worry the ag industry could see some impacts. One International Policy analyst thinks Trump is putting tariffs on the wrong items.

“If you’re going to do tariffs, don’t do it on things that your firms are buying in order to produce stuff. Do it on the end products, do it on foreign cars coming in that are competing with cars made in America,” said Tim Sargent.

However, one ag economist says tariffs do have a purpose.

“The reason that we use tariffs might be to raise funds. It might be to protect American jobs, to grow American industries, and we can look at that from the slant that, okay, maybe perhaps that’ll work,” said Craig Lemoine.

Yesterday, the President ordered government agencies to study reciprocal tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. Their reports are due on April 1st.

Related Stories
Pressure to lower gas prices across the Golden State could be the saving grace of this year’s corn harvest. California may soon be the final U.S. state to approve E-15 sales.
Both Congressional Ag Committees took up the bill over the summer, but there’s no word on when the Senate could move forward; it does expire on September 30.
As the Trump Administration seeks out new global trade partnerships, Congress is considering more support for farmers, which comes as the Federal Reserve warns that farmers need a safety net.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins will travel to Europe and Asia to seek new trade partnerships for U.S. crops after China reduced imports due to tariffs.
Tom Peterson with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association says taxpayers are “unfortunate casualties” of this overlay now that the Mexican wolf population is stable under ESA guidelines.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.
CattleCon 2026 kicks off February 3 in Nashville. Kristin Torres with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association joined RFD-TV to share more about what’s ahead at this year’s event.