Weekly Update for
April 3

This week, Jack Long, NAWG's Government Relations Representative, attended the Ag Rail Business Council meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. During the meeting, BNSF staff and council members provided updates on the latest issues impacting agricultural transportation. Jack also shared insights into NAWG's recent advocacy efforts.

On April 1, NAWG joined other national ag organizations in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, highlighting the need to maintain fair trade with other nations while underscoring the need to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers. The letter encouraged the administration’s agricultural trade agenda to “focus on maintaining existing markets, avoiding punitive tariffs that put farmers, ranchers and growers on the front line of retaliation, and an aggressive strategy that expands market access for U.S. agricultural products. By eliminating and reducing foreign tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, American producers will gain export market opportunities, leading to a stronger and wealthier America.”. Read the full letter below.

On April 2, President Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose new tariffs aimed at addressing the U.S. trade deficit and promoting fairer trade practices. A 10% baseline tariff on all countries will take effect on April 5, followed by higher individualized tariffs on countries with the largest trade deficits beginning April 9. Certain goods, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and energy-related materials, will be exempt. The administration has indicated the tariffs will remain in place until it determines that the trade imbalance and related issues have been sufficiently addressed, and reserves the flexibility to adjust rates based on other nations’ responses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the launch of its 2025 agricultural trade promotion programs and is now accepting applications for four key export market development initiatives: the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC), and the Emerging Markets Program (EMP). These programs aim to help U.S. producers expand their global reach and address trade barriers. “President Trump and I will not sit idly by—we are actively working to open new markets and remove existing barriers,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are putting farmers first. These programs are a crucial step in sustaining long lasting economic growth in rural America.” Applications are due by June 6, 2025.

On March 31, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, which outlines foreign trade barriers affecting U.S. exporters and the efforts to address them. The report was submitted to President Trump and Congress as part of an annual requirement under U.S. trade law. “No American President in modern history has recognized the wide-ranging and harmful foreign trade barriers American exporters face more than President Trump,” said Ambassador Greer. The 2025 NTE reflects the administration’s trade priorities and was developed with input from federal agencies, U.S. embassies, and public comments.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding producers to schedule a visit with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year. These programs offer critical income support to farmers facing significant drops in crop prices or revenue. Producers must make their elections and complete enrollment by April 15 and are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to also sign up for additional FSA programs such as the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and other disaster and loan programs.

On March 28, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced an ambitious international travel schedule aimed at expanding market access for American agricultural exports. Over the next six months, she will visit six countries: Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, to strengthen and diversify global trade relationships. “President Trump has the backs of our farmers and ranchers,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA remains committed to expanding market access around the world. I am going abroad to sell the bounty of American agriculture and to ensure the prosperity of our hard-working agricultural producers. Everything is on the table to get more markets for our products.” The initiative comes as the USDA addresses a nearly $50 billion agricultural trade deficit and seeks to enhance competitiveness in key markets.

On April 2, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry announced they will hold a nomination hearing on Tuesday, April 8, to consider Judge Stephen Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel. Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) jointly announced the hearing, which will take place at 10:00 AM EDT in room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building. Vaden and Clarkson, nominated for key leadership roles within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will appear before the committee for consideration.

On March 31, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the release of $537 million in obligated funding through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), supporting 543 projects across 29 states. The investment aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy and is part of the administration’s strategy to expand access to American-grown fuels and support rural communities. “President Trump is honoring our commitment to America’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses, especially here in Iowa where corn and soy growers are crucial to supporting ethanol and biodiesel production,” Secretary Rollins said. The HBIIP aims to increase the availability of biofuels like E15, E85, and B20, while promoting rural economic growth, job creation, and a more diversified national energy supply.

In case you have not seen the March issue of Progressive Farmer magazine, featuring the National Wheat Yield Contest, those articles are found on their website. Jason Jenkins and Pam Smith do an excellent job sharing information about the winners and the contest. Learn how the contest is about more than just yield, our quality component has been enhanced so that we can promote high-yield and high-quality wheat. Winter Wheat growers- it’s time to put your entries in at www.wheatcontest.org.

This tour will give you first-hand experience and an understanding of the quality of this year’s wheat crop even before it is harvested.  Any person who is interested in attending will gain great insight and network with specialists in the wheat quality field. The tour dates are May 12-15, starting in Manhattan, KS at 4:00 pm on Monday, May 12. For more information contact Dave Green, (dave.green.wqc@gmail.com).

This free, immersive career exploration experience offers food science, animal science, and international trade and policy tracts.  The Northern Crops Institute, in collaboration with industry partners, will host 60 high school students for the academy on June 23-27, 2025, on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. The National Wheat Foundation is a partner in this excellent program. If you know a high school student in grades 10-12 (during the 24-25 school year), please share this opportunity with them.