Opportunity Is Now: Lawmakers hope the new Administration will open new ag export markets

As the Trump Administration works to balance U.S. trade books, lawmakers on the Ways and Means Committee are frustrated with a lack of progress over the last four years.

Congressman Randy Feenstra of Iowa says the Biden Administration opened zero new trade markets.

“So when you talk about export markets, whether it be corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, we haven’t opened anything; cattle, hogs, dairy, and now we have that opportunity. We’re really working with the Administration right now. Everyone is hearing about tariffs, but I’m also hearing about the opportunity to have new export markets for all our commodities, and that’s exciting to hear about.”

Feenstra says there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon for agriculture, and he hopes to see greater market access over the next four years.

Related Stories
CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joins us to share insight and concerns over current grain storage capacity as export demand lags.
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.
Plan for a cooler global trade market in 2026 with tighter margins on exports, potential rate shifts, and premiums for reliable deliveries into Asian and African growth markets.
George Baird, with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), joins us with updates on how this year’s rice harvest is shaping up.
Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Economist with the Indiana Farm Bureau, shares a snapshot of his state’s harvest conditions and insights from producers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S. Christmas Tree industry and what growers are up against.
Canadian tariffs would raise costs for potash, ammonia, and UAN, increasing spring fertilizer risk.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities breaks down the outlook on grain storage and domestic supply chain strength as producers weigh planting decisions with forthcoming federal aid.
Experts say flooding the zone with more money could have unintented consequences without opening new markets for planted crops and inputs under significant pressure.