U.S. agriculture groups responded to the Supreme Court striking down President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs by calling for increased certainty in trade policy and carveouts for ag inputs in any new tariffs.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the president overstepped in his use of emergency powers to levy tariffs last year, striking down his so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” as well as country -specific tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada and Brazil.
The administration has vowed to pursue its trade agenda through other legal mechanisms. But several agriculture groups and businesses urged the administration to use the pause to recalibrate its tariff policy.
“Because farmers are caught in a cost-price squeeze and ag input costs remain high, we urge the president to refrain from imposing tariffs on agricultural inputs using other authorities,” American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger said.
Following Trump's announcement that he would impose temporary 10% tariffs using other legal authority, Duane Simpson, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, urged the administration to "exempt key agricultural inputs. The recent decision to pull back tariffs on certain fertilizer products—which NCFC and other ag groups had asked for—provided meaningful relief, and this ruling presents an opportunity for the president to build on that progress and reinforce his support for America’s farmers."
The Trump administration excluded several fertilizers from the tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court, including potash from Canada. But for months, imports of phosphate and urea were subject to the reciprocal duties, before officials issued carveouts in November. North Dakota State University researchers estimate importers paid more than $75 million in tariffs on nitrogen-based fertilizers and more than $30 million on phosphates from February to October last year.
Other inputs like machinery were also subject to the emergency duties. Steel and aluminum and their derivative products are still facing tariffs, as they were not implemented with emergency powers.
“Moving forward, certainty and dependable market access are essential for U.S. soy to remain competitive globally,” Metzger added.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers also argued that industry needs certainty following the ruling, “so they can make long-term decisions that benefit their workers, their customers, and the broader U.S. economy."
AEM Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg noted that the industry is still facing steel and aluminum tariffs of 50%.
"We urge the administration to use today’s ruling as an opportunity to chart a new course for tariff policy and secure more trade agreements that expand market access for America’s equipment manufacturers,” he said in a statement.
Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade, also urged the administration to rethink its trade policy approach before rushing to impose new duties.
“Any new approach would likely invite the same retaliation from our trading partners that has already caused so much damage to American farmers,” he warned. “Farmers have been caught in the crossfire, paying more for what they need while losing access to the customers they depend on.”
Here is how other organizations and key policymakers responded to the ruling:
American Farm Bureau Federation: “America’s farmers understand the president’s efforts to use tariffs to create a more level playing field for U.S. goods, U.S. workers and the U.S. economy. Unfortunately, trade disruptions and declining prices for agricultural goods created additional hardships for farmers who came into 2025 already dealing with crippling inflation and declining farm prices. We appreciate the President responding to trade and market disruptions by delivering important financial assistance. Open and fair markets are critical to help rebuild the farm economy. In light of today’s Supreme Court ruling, we urge the administration to work swiftly to find other ways to resolve trade disputes and finalize recently announced trade frameworks. With supply costs already at or near record highs, we strongly encourage the president to avoid using any other available authorities to impose tariffs on agricultural inputs that would further increase costs.” – Zippy Duvall, AFBF president
National Farmers Union: "We appreciate the Court providing clarity on tariff authority. However, many family farmers and ranchers have already felt the consequences of this tariff agenda.Over the past year, tariffs have raised input costs, disrupted export markets and triggered retaliation against U.S. agricultural goods. In an already fragile farm economy, uncertainty has hit family operations hardest. We urge the administration not to pursue similar tariffs under other authorities, and we call on Congress to exercise its oversight role to ensure trade policy supports—not undermines—America’s family farmers and ranchers.” – Rob Larew, NFU president
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives: “After substantial price increases over the past five years, tariffs on critical agricultural inputs have added to financial pressures at a time when margins are already razor thin. With President Trump’s announcement that he is imposing temporary 10% tariffs under other authorities, we urge that the Administration exempt key agricultural inputs. The recent decision to pull back tariffs on certain fertilizer products—which NCFC and other ag groups had asked for—provided meaningful relief, and this ruling presents an opportunity for the president to build on that progress and reinforce his support for America’s farmers.” – Duane Simpson, NCFC president and CEO
American Seed Trade Association: "International trade of planting seed plays a fundamental role in seed production and crop research and development, and tariffs have created uncertainty and significantly increased costs facing U.S. seed companies. We continue to call on the Administration to eliminate tariffs on planting seeds so that the United States remains globally competitive and can deliver the most innovative crop varieties to U.S. farmers."
National Association of Wheat Growers: “As policymakers consider next steps following the Court’s decision, it is essential that America’s farm families ongoing financial crisis be considered. Wheat growers finished the third straight year of financial losses driven by stubbornly high supply costs and low prices for the crops we grow. We depend on fertilizer, crop protection tools, equipment, repair parts and other supplies that sometimes come from trading partners to successfully plant and harvest each year’s crop." – Sam Kieffer, NAWG CEO\
National Corn Growers Association: “In these challenging economic times, U.S. corn growers support efforts to maintain and increase market access. NCGA continues to advocate for stability as farmers approach the 2026 planting season, for both the purchasing of necessary inputs and the marketing of their crops.
USA Rice: "USA Rice is disappointed that the Supreme Court struck down the Administration’s use of the IEEPA tariffs. We are hopeful that the Administration will be able to quickly pivot to reimpose a number of these tariffs to maintain critical leverage held in dozens of completed and active bilateral negotiations aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit." – USA Rice Chair Keith Glover.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy: “We applaud this decision, yet considerable damage has already been done. The chaotic imposition of tariffs with dubious justifications has broken trust with all our trading partners, including those whose economies are most closely linked to the United States. The results have significantly harmed farmers in the U.S. and abroad. It has undermined the stability farmers need to make decisions about what to plant. Commodity crop producers have been caught in the crossfire, losing out on important export markets, while programs designed to help farmers selling into local and regional markets have been slashed.” – Karen Hansen-Kuhn, director of trade and international strategies
Pacific Legal Foundation: “The Supreme Court’s decision is a win for the separation of powers and the American people. The Court held that the power to regulate does not include the power to tax, and Congress did not delegate away its taxing power in IEEPA. As the Chief writes, only Congress has the power to tax.” – Oliver Dunford, senior attorney
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Swift refunds of the impermissible tariffs will be meaningful for the more than 200,000 small business importers in this country and will help support stronger economic growth this year." – Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Penn.: "American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the world, and securing reliable access to international markets is incredibly important for our producers. Moving forward, America's agricultural sector is looking for clarity across the trade landscape. I will continue to engage with the Trump Administration as we work toward the mutual goal of strengthening our economy and opening up new export markets."
House Ag Committee ranking member, Angie Craig, D-Minn.: “Tariffs have wreaked havoc on the American economy by driving up the price of everyday goods for hardworking Americans and businesses. They've been especially disruptive for our growers, producers and ranchers who have been suffering under the weight of high input costs and lost market access. While I applaud the Supreme Court for reigning in the president's power to issue tariffs by decree, I fear these tariffs have already caused lasting damage to farm country.”
Senate Ag Committee ranking member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.: “Today, the Supreme Court finally affirmed what I have been saying for a year: the Administration's reckless tariffs are illegal.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.: “No one can deny that the President’s use of tariffs has brought in billions of dollars and created immense leverage for America’s trade strategy and for securing strong, reciprocal America-first trade agreements with countries that had been taking advantage of American workers for decades. Congress and the Administration will determine the best path forward in the coming weeks.”
Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., chair of the Ways and Means subcommittee on trade: “Since day one, President Trump has been committed to leveling the playing field for American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and workers. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, we must ensure our trading partners uphold the market access commitments already secured and continue advancing policies which promote fair competition worldwide. … As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade for the House Ways and Means Committee, I am committed to working with the administration to deliver long-term certainty through comprehensive and enforceable trade agreements. The President has made clear his intention to use every available tool to secure strong deals, but only Congress can ensure that these agreements provide lasting stability beyond any single administration."
House Ways and Means Committee ranking member Richard Neal, D-Mass.: “Today’s decision is a victory for the American people, the rule of law, and our standing in the global economy.”
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This story has been updated with additional responses.
