‘Motorcade for Trade’ Reaches Washington After 2,800-Mile Journey Across Farm Country

Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — After a month on the road, Farmers for Free Trade’s “Motorcade for Trade” has reached the National Mall in Washington, D.C., completing a 2,800-mile journey through 11 states to gather farmers’ input on trade priorities.

Brian Kuehl, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade, joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share more about the tour, which included multiple town halls and farm stops, allowing producers to share their views on the importance of expanded export markets and the challenges of trading with countries that “don’t always play fair.”

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Kuehl says the effort aims to remind policymakers that free and fair trade remains essential to farm profitability, especially as U.S.–China relations begin to stabilize and soybean prices see modest improvement.

Among the group’s key priorities:

  • New market agreements with meaningful tariff reductions
  • Exemptions for agricultural inputs from tariffs
  • A constructive USMCA review process
  • An overall reduction in global trade tensions
Related Stories
Firm live cow prices and shifting dairy-side culling suggest cull cow values may stay stronger than usual this winter despite weaker cow beef cutout trends.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities shares an update on post-WASDE grain movement, with corn leading export momentum, soybeans steady, and wheat and sorghum continuing to move selectively.
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
China still has a long way to go before it meets its commitment to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this year.
The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
UMN Extension’s Emily Krekelberg outlines today’s top farm stressors, key signs of mental health distress in rural communities, and the resources available for support.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Bottom line: Despite all the efforts advocates make, workers are still making less money.
Harvested acres are estimated at 90.0 million, making this year’s corn crop one of the largest since the 1930s.
China has been largely absent from U.S. markets lately, but not when it comes to cotton. It’s a buy that, traders say, isn’t surprising given China’s limitations.
The North Carolina Farm Bureau highlights the work being done on Sound Mind Farms, a farm producing hemp to make sustainable fabrics.
U.S. producers are holding off on equipment investments amid financial pressure, market uncertainty, a rising demand for diesel, and growing desperation for trade wins.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.