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.

Related Stories
Bioethanol continues to gain ground as the bridge fuel connecting agriculture, aviation, and maritime industries in the global shift toward lower-carbon energy.
Expanding bioethanol use strengthens rural economies, supports farm markets, and positions U.S. agriculture at the center of global low-carbon trade.
Lyndsey Smith with RealAg Radio discusses how global trade dynamics could shape the future of Canada’s pulse exports.
“Farmers for Free Trade” warns that disaster is brewing as President Trump’s trade policy is causing farm input costs to rise even more.
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall says more conversations need to occur with stakeholders present surrounding President Trump’s proposal to lower consumer beef prices with Argentinian imports.
Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Rising adoption of GLP-1 drugs may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects on protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Traders are keeping a close eye on China’s soybean purchases as markets track export sales, shipments, and progress toward the ‘magical’ 12 million ton target promised last year.
Leadership development and bipartisan engagement remain central to advancing agriculture’s priorities in 2026.
AFBF Economist Faith Parum provides analysis and perspective on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program—what commodity growers should know and potential remedies for producers facing crop losses where that aid falls short.
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.