E242: The View from the Capitol: Tariffs, Farm Bill, and USDA

The months since President Trump first took office have been marked by executive orders, policy announcement, shakeups, and for many in ag, the hopes that policies will also provide protections from market and political fallout. Just this week, President Trump announced a pause for tariffs on China as trade talks continue, and that is just one of the many ways changes are leaving farmers uncertain about what the future holds. 

Today, DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton joins to unpack not only recent trade news, but ag related updates from across the nation’s capital. We kick off our conversation with the recent announcement about a trade deal with the UK, which promises some benefits for U.S. beef and ethanol producers. 

We dive into the details on changes at USDA, and hear about recent announcements from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and her vision to transform the department. Then, we’ll dig into current discussions on farm programs and Farm Bill safety net programs, which are currently being discussed in Congressional committees. Then, we’ll touch on the latest news on USDA disaster aid rollouts, and when farmers might expect to see compensation for past losses. 

Finally, we’ll hear about an idea that President Trump has floated in an effort to ensure that the farm labor crisis doesn’t worsen and what to look out for in the weeks to come.