Ag Industry Not Sheltered From US Tariffs

Mar 13, 2025

Just about everything that Canada exports to the US, including agricultural commodities, now have a 25 percent tariff tacked on. The exception is our energy exports,which have a 10 percent tariff attached as of early this morning. US president Donald Trump followed through a promise a month ago to punish Canada and Mexico for not taking steps at their border to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the US. In the case of Canada, many analysts say that argument was just a smoke screen for Trump to secure what he really wants from us, our resources.

Trump is also hitting China with 20 percent tariffs across the board today, and many analysts say his speech tonight to congress will outline even more plans to economically attack his neighbors.

China says it may put additional tariffs on many agricultural products coming from the US in retaliation.

Also yesterday, the US president sent a note on X to American farmers. Trump wrote…”to the great farmers of the US….get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold inside of the US. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun.”

His new USDA secretary, Brooke Rollins is defending Trump’s plans to use tariffs to protect US farm interests, but the tariffs are making shipments of potash from Canada more expensive and many American farmers depend on those shipments to grow their crops.

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Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.