Trade policy is still front and center, with many lawmakers backing President Trump on tariffs.
North Carolina Senator Tedd Budd says there is good reasoning behind the moves.
“We’re just matching what other people have been doing to us for years, and hopefully we can it will remind these countries that we can move towards free trade or less tariffs, and let’s start working them back down to zero, but this is a result of them treating us unfairly for years.”
Budd says other countries need to lower their own tariff rates before the U.S. takes any action. This week, President Trump told reporters he paused tariffs to protect U.S. farmers. However, the National Ag Law Center says the tariff threat still hangs overhead.
“But there’s still the promise, very publicly, of more to come and those still coming back. But at the same time, unless I’m missing it, we’re not seeing any changes in the retaliatory side, and that’s always, to me, been the real issue for agriculture. What gets boomeranged back our way?” said Harrison Pittman.
Yesterday, the European Union hit the U.S. with tariffs on $28 billion worth of products, including goods like almonds, pork, dairy, and soybeans, which is our largest export to Europe.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
·
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
·
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
January 20, 2026 12:25 PM
·
Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
January 19, 2026 04:00 PM
·
While short-term volatility remains a risk, softer ocean freight rates in 2026 could improve export margins.
January 18, 2026 12:00 PM
·
Trade volatility and shifting export destinations increase marketing risk for producers heading into 2026.
January 18, 2026 07:00 AM
·
