It has been a busy week with big shakeups in trade policy, and a lot has taken place over the last 24 hours.
As of right now, President Trump has hit pause, taking all country-specific tariffs down to 10 percent for 90 days, but that does not include China. He raised their tariff rate to 125 percent.
Other nations are already responding to the recent adjustments. Within the last few hours, the European Union announced a pause of their own. It came after the EU voted for new tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum, which are now on the back burner.
Ag lawmakers say the tariff pause is a win for America, with Louisiana Senator John Kennedy saying he is confident the U.S. and China will soon reach a deal.
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“A government shutdown impacts all Americans and has serious consequences, including for farmers. It just adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services.”
Agricultural exports continue to be a key contributor to rural employment. However, rural businesses still struggle to fill numerous job openings.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated this week that the government will intervene to help, following China’s withdrawal from the U.S. soybean market. One trader says the industry will remain in a holding pattern until Tuesday.
University of Illinois Ag Economist Gary Schnitker says early projections indicate soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2026.
“In the first six months of 2025, 181 Chapter 12 bankruptcies were filed nationwide.”
