“Never Easy to Change the Status Quo": Sec. Rollins comments on the current trade situation

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins faced tough questions this week from a Senate Subcommittee.

She is standing by President Trump’s plans for trade and says that while things may get rocky, she plans to keep the conversations going.

“It’s never easy to change the status quo. The easiest thing for us to do is just say, ‘Oh, it’s great, and we don’t want to make anyone mad, and let’s just keep moving forward and keep adding money to the programs.’ This is what I believe voters asked for, and we’ll continue to have these discussions.”

Rollins emphasized USDA’s commitment to taxpayers, saying several programs, like the McGovern-Dole program, must return to their original intent. She also said she will lay out her plan next week to re-organize USDA, which will include bringing back some Farm Service Agency and APHIS staff.

Related Stories
New trade access, tariff concerns and international negotiations are reshaping the global beef market.
Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs joins us to discuss planting progress, weather conditions, and how geopolitical tensions are clouding his growing season outlook as input concerns continue to escalate.
Officials say no additional spread has been detected as containment and monitoring efforts move forward.
This case could influence how much leverage grain shippers have when a preferred rail outlet is blocked or priced too high.
Global soybean competition is moving deeper into crush capacity, logistics, and value-added product control.
Industry leaders say overseas markets remain critical as USDA pushes for broader export opportunities.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Thailand will not replace major corn buyers overnight, but renewed access could create another outlet for U.S. corn demand.
Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton joins us to discuss fertilizer affordability concerns, Senate Agriculture Committee testimony, and spring planting conditions in Kentucky.
Officials say the tool could give Florida citrus growers another option against a disease that has devastated production for decades.
NCGA President Jed Bower joins us to discuss the House passage of year-round E15 legislation, potential opposition in the Senate, China trade talks, and spring planting progress.
Scouts say yields are landing close to USDA projections as they monitor drought pressure and abandonment concerns.