President Trump’s pick for USDA Deputy Secretary is facing a full Senate vote. Stephen Vaden would fill the role formerly held by Xochitl Torres Small,
Speaking before a Senate panel, Vaden said he grew up on a family farm and acknowledged the recent tariff action, but he said there is a bigger problem brewing.
“If we’re going to be throwing punches on behalf of America’s economy, there are some punches that need to be thrown on behalf of American farmers, too. Because, while tariffs are the headline, what blocks so many American agricultural products from other countries are phony phytosanitary concerns, supposedly raising health or other welfare concerns about American products.”
Vaden argues U.S. ag exports face more hurdles than others, reminding the President’s trade team to always be on the offense and be aggressive with opening new markets. When it comes to tariffs, just yesterday, President Trump announced India would be dropping their rate to zero on several U.S. products, like steel and auto parts.
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
October 21, 2025 12:17 PM
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The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
October 20, 2025 12:46 PM
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With China halting U.S. soybean purchases and talks tied to broader strategic issues, growers face renewed export uncertainty.
October 20, 2025 11:52 AM
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Talks highlight the widening role of agriculture in U.S.–India trade policy, though neither side appears ready for major concessions before tariff issues and oil imports are resolved.
October 20, 2025 11:28 AM
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In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
October 16, 2025 11:57 AM
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China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
October 15, 2025 12:13 PM
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