Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA will assess market losses from President Donald Trump’s tariffs closer to harvest and then provide aid to producers if it’s necessary.

“We will be putting some program in place to mitigate a lot of that damage,” Rollins says in an interview for this week’s edition of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.

The first Trump administration provided about $28 billion in trade assistance for the impact of retaliatory tariffs in 2018 and 2019. The Commodity Credit Corp. account used to provide that aid is down to a few billion dollars. 

But Rollins says she is “very confident” that congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle will agree to replenish the account as needed.

Keep in mind: Rollins’ timetable makes sense. Economists tell Agri-Pulse it could be several months before retaliatory tariffs have a significant impact on soybeans and other commodities.

This week’s Newsmakers will be available today at Agri-Pulse.com.

Analysis estimates impact of expiring estate tax provision

Increases in land values are raising the stakes for GOP tax legislation this year. The estate tax exemption was doubled in 2017, but that provision is set to expire unless Congress extends it as part of a budget reconciliation bill Republicans hope to move in coming weeks.

According to a new analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation, a California farm with at least 568 acres would get hit with the lower exemption, which would be $7.6 million for an individual in 2026, according to AFBF. It would take 808 acres in Iowa to hit the lower exemption limit, 1,691 in Georgia and 2,718 in Texas.

Keep in mind: The acreage estimates don’t include the value of other assets, including machinery, and the exemption is doubled for a married couple. This year, the exemption is worth $13.99 million for an individual and $27.98 million for a married couple.

Are they talking? 

Beijing and Washington are giving competing accounts of whether the U.S. and China are engaging in discussions on a possible deal to de-escalate trade tensions.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson told reporters Thursday that the two countries are not currently negotiating. He added that the U.S. should remove tariffs if it wants to negotiate a solution.

Just hours later, however, Trump said the two countries had been speaking.  “They had meetings this morning, and we’ve been meeting with China,” he said at the White House.

Take note: Some China watchers are skeptical discussions could lead to a deal. Huan Zhu, who manages the analysis service China Trade Monitor, said in a webinar Thursday that Beijing is in no rush to negotiate. 

She argued the U.S. won’t offer anything particularly appealing to Beijing, given it has indicated it won’t loosen export restrictions and likely won’t eliminate tariffs imposed for national security and unfair trade reasons, even it cuts reciprocal duties. 

But, but, but: At least one set of negotiations is coming along, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday that talks with South Korea are progressing faster than expected. He suggested the two countries could reach an “understanding” next week. 

Republicans call for ethics probe on House Ag ranking member’s state town halls

The House Agriculture Committee’s top Democrat, Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, is drawing criticism from Minnesota Republicans over her appearances at town halls outside her district during the two-week Easter recess. 

Republicans have largely forgone town halls during this latest break, after receiving vocal criticism at previous events. 

Keep in mind: Craig has indicated she is interested in running for the seat of Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn. The senator previously announced she would not run for reelection at the end of her term. 

Minnesota Republican Reps. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber asked the House Committee on Ethics and the Committee on House Administration to review possible violations of House rules by Craig. They argue Craig is using her congressional office, which is taxpayer funded, to raise campaign donations. This would violate House ethics rules, they argue.

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“That’s really rich on their part," Craig told local reporters after a recent town hall. "First of all, look, this is not being paid for by a single taxpayer dime. And the fact that they’re raising the question just gives me another opportunity to talk about the fact that they won’t come talk to their constituents. So, I welcome any question they might have about this, and I’m going to keep showing up.”

Ag industry coalition tells administration to stay in FAO

A coalition of groups from across the ag sector are pushing senior administration officials to keep the U.S. in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

More than 50 groups penned a letter to cabinet officials touting the benefits of FAO membership. The letter comes as the State Department reevaluates U.S. involvement with international intergovernmental organizations in response to a February executive order. 

“FAO serves a vital organizational role in advancing science-based policies and leading initiatives that promote plant and animal health, enhance food safety, and support nutrition security,” the groups write. They single out the Codex Alimentarius Commission and International Plant Protection Convention as playing a critical role in reducing trade barriers based on shaky science. 

UK ag warns leaders tariff retaliation could squeeze livestock sector

The United Kingdom’s agricultural sector is warning domestic policymakers of the potential impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag exports on the livestock sector. 

Following Trump’s imposition of a 10% baseline tariff on imports from the U.K., the U.K. government published a list of products that could be in line for retaliatory duties. Among the goods listed are a slate of agricultural inputs, including seeds, animal feeds, fertilizers and crop protection products. 

Ed Barker, head of policy at the U.K.’s Agricultural Industries Confederation, told Agri-Pulse he’s been informing policymakers of how new duties on these products will impact local farmers.  

“They need to be aware of the facts of what we're importing from the U.S. and why they're relevant to U.K. supply chains,” he said. The U.K. is collecting public feedback on the list of products until next week. Barker said he has been encouraging its ag producers to weigh in. 

McGovern’s daughter dies at 23

Rep. Jim McGovern and his family released a statement Thursday following the passing of the congressman’s 23-year-old daughter, Molly. 

The Massachusetts Democrat, his wife, Lisa, and their son, Patrick, said that Molly McGovern “had a rare gift: She made everyone feel special, because she genuinely believed everyone was special. She treated people with compassion and kindness — always standing up for the underdog.”

Molly, who “faced a rare cancer diagnosis,” had just finished a semester abroad in Australia and “passed away unexpectedly in Italy while visiting a good friend and his family,” the family said.

Final word

“For him, public service is about bringing people together and helping make life better for all families. That's why every day in Congress, he's working to end hunger, expand health care, and protect human rights. I'm proud to be his daughter and of the work he's doing.” — Molly McGovern, writing in June 2023 to endorse her father’s run for Congress.

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