The Trump administration is claiming success for U.S. agriculture in a series of new trade deals. The latest, announced Tuesday night, is with Japan. President Trump announced in a social media post that the deal would benefit U.S. rice and other unspecified commodities.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins followed up Trump’s announcement with this: “This historic agreement solidifies you as the GREATEST PRESIDENT FOR FARMERS OF ALL TIME, delivering unprecedented wins for American farmers & ranchers, opening new markets once thought inaccessible, & ushering in a golden age of rural prosperity.”
Earlier Tuesday: Trump said he reached a trade agreement with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that exempt U.S. exports from tariffs. And the White House said a trade framework that the U.S. has secured with Indonesia includes commitments to streamline U.S. agri-food exports and boost purchases of several U.S. commodities.
Take note: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is set to meet with Ways and Means Republicans today to deliver an update on ongoing trade negotiations. The meeting comes just days after a Senate Appropriations Committee report called for more information-sharing with Congress on the state of negotiations.
Consumer Brands expands its food dye pledge
One of the largest food and beverage organizations is encouraging manufacturers to stop using synthetic dyes in products by the end of 2027.
Consumer Brands Association had previously said it would encourage its members to transition away from certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors in food and beverages served in schools by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. CBA’s latest announcement builds on this by encouraging makers to phase out those dyes completely.
Some of the biggest food and beverage manufacturers have made similar commitments. CBA is continuing to urge FDA to prioritize increased access to natural color alternatives and ensure these are adequately evaluated and demonstrated as safe.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary celebrated the move and said it supports their goal of removing all synthetic dyes out of the food supply.
“America is entering a new era of nutrition,” Kennedy said in CBA’s announcement. “Replacing synthetic food dyes with natural colors marks another major victory in our mission to Make America Healthy Again.”
Meanwhile: Coca-Cola said Tuesday it would offer Coke sweetened with cane sugar in the United States as early as this fall. It follows a Trump social media post backing the use of cane sugar.
Read more from Rebekah Alvey and Oliver Ward in this week’s Agri-Pulse newsletter.
MAHA group launches nationwide ad campaign
A group supporting the Make America Healthy Again movement has launched a TV campaign highlighting the administration’s commitment to some MAHA ideas.
The campaign, sponsored by MAHA Action, will run nationwide from July 22 to Aug. 12 in the lead up to the MAHA Commission’s second report. The video features prominent members of the administration including Kennedy, Makary and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
"This is our way of saying thank you for their leadership and ensuring Congress knows that the American people, that millions of MAHA moms and advocates are behind these critical reforms,” said Tony Lyons, president of MAHA Action. “Make no mistake, this is a revolution that will change the face of public health policy.”
The video touts what MAHA Action calls “early wins,” including the phase out of synthetic food dyes, closing the GRAS loophole, and plans to reform the dietary guidelines “based on science rather than industry influence.”
Take note: The administration has not taken direct action on a number of these “wins.” The plan to phase out artificial food dyes, for example, relies on voluntary buy-in from the industry rather than regulations.
The administration has been vocal about its desire to address the “GRAS loophole” but has not issued rulemaking to do so. In March, HHS directed FDA to explore rulemaking to eliminate a pathway for food companies to self-affirm the safety of food ingredients.
Take note: Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who chairs the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee and sits on the Agriculture Committee, said he hopes to get a preview of the second commission report. But he wants to continue conversations with Kennedy even before that.
Hoeven was one of a handful of senators that met with the White House after the first MAHA Commission report, which outraged farm groups over its negative portrayal of pesticides. Many have engaged with the White House since to ensure the next report issues responsible recommendations on pesticides and other issues.
Kennedy has agreed to initial discussions with Hoeven. The lawmaker said these conversations will focus on ensuring any recommendations in the report have enough flexibility for agriculture and school nutritionists.
House Ag Committee advances Grain Standards Reauthorization Act
The House Ag Committee on Tuesday advanced its version of the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act, putting the five-year legislation one step closer to reauthorization.
The House bill would exclude costs associated with equipment and technology development from a current 30% cap for supervisory and administrative costs for services performed. It also reauthorizes USDA’s advisory committee for U.S. grain standards.
Read our story on the challenges states are having maintaining funding for federal grain inspection services they provide in today’s newsletter.
Tuberville revives effort to broaden FCIC knowledge base and study oilseed crops
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., will reintroduce two bills today to expand the expertise on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board of directors and address crop insurance gaps.
The Farm Board Act would reserve a spot on the ten-member FCIC board for a producer of both livestock and crops. Meanwhile, the Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act would direct USDA to study winter oilseed crop feasibility in the mid-South region to ensure adequate crop insurance coverage.
