Uncharted Tariff Territory: The magnitude of these tariffs are different, according to a lawyer

Each new president has bold plans for the office, and President Trump is making his stance known for trade. The National Ag Law Center says some administrations require more adjustment than others for farmers and ranchers.

“Some for ag are more pronounced than others, but during the last three or four administrations, agriculture will have been right in the middle of a lot here. The scope of the tariffs, the tariff talk, the tariffs that have been implemented, and the retaliatory tariffs. Tariffs aren’t new, but perhaps at this scope, this breath, this order of magnitude, that feels different at least, and the retaliatory tariffs feel quite different.”

Pittman calls the situation “uncharted territory,” pointing to how the President wants to use tariffs to pay for tax cuts. Despite the uncertainty, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins backs Trump’s methods.

“I support him 100 percent. Certainly there’s going to be some concern and question, which makes sense, but at the end of the day, this fight for a better America, to Make America Great Again, to bring our jobs back to America, to produce within our country’s borders, is really important.”

Just this week, Rollins met with her Mexican counterpart to talk trade and the importance of a good relationship. She says they talked about the trade imbalance and the need for Mexico to take more American products. She says Mexico assures her there is no intention to block trade.

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Wed, 12/17/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT