Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is currently testifying before the House Agriculture Committee. She is fielding questions on trade, animal health, and the MAHA report.
When asked about what the U.S. can do to expand market access by Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, she said matching other countries’ tariffs on exports just makes sense.
“I have been really surprised, but in the best way, at how excited these countries are for us to be on the ground, how they understand that the 15 percent average tariff put on our American agriculture products versus the average 5 percent that we put on their products. They understand that it is not sustainable, that they’ve got to do better at putting our American products forward. As I mentioned, Italy imports $75 billion in ag products every year, only $1.7 billion of that is from America. This is one of our best partners, more aligned with our values than any other country.”
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to accelerate domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, signaling that farm input availability is now treated as a national security risk.
February 19, 2026 11:18 AM
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Federal aid helps, but producers will bear most of the losses. Balance sheets may look stable, but margins remain fragile without policy support.
February 18, 2026 01:49 PM
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Biofuel and corn producers await proposal as Renewable Fuels Association pushes for expanded ethanol access.
February 18, 2026 12:53 PM
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Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
February 18, 2026 12:18 PM
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South Texas farmers say water shortages continue despite Mexico’s renewed payments under the 1944 Water Treaty.
February 18, 2026 11:39 AM
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Weskan Grain CEO Will Bramblett discusses the antitrust lawsuit filed by grain farmers and agribusinesses, and its potential implications on rail competition and market access.
February 17, 2026 01:41 PM
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