Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl says the Trump Administration’s approval of $50 billion worth of imported goods from China is “scary.” The tariffs on Chinese imports will result in heavy retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports. “For American farmers, this isn’t theatrical anymore, it’s scary,” Kuehl says. “It’s no longer a negotiating tactic, it’s a tax on their livelihoods. Within days, soybean, corn, wheat, and other American farmers are likely to be hit with retaliatory tariffs of up to 25 percent on the exports that keep their operations afloat. When they do, they aren’t going to remain silent.” Farmers for Free Trade says these tariffs are not only a blow to U.S. farmers, it’s a win for our competitors. When American corn and soybeans become more expensive, South America wins. When American beef becomes more expensive, Australia wins. As this trade war drags on, the group says farmers will rightly question why U.S. competitors are winning while American farmers are losing. Kuehl adds, “Farmers for Free Trade will continue to hold town hall meetings across the country this summer to ensure that farmers voices are being heard. The message will be heard loud and clear. American farmers demand that elected officials support them by ending this trade war.”

On the surface, President Trump says Environmental Protection Agency Chief Scott Pruitt has done a fantastic job of running the agency. However, Trump tells Bloomberg that “he’s not happy” with some of Pruitt’s actions as ethics allegations continue to threaten the EPA chief’s tenure. “I’m looking at Scott and he’s done a fantastic job,” Trump says to reporters on Friday, “but I’m not happy about certain things. I’ll be honest.” Pruitt is under fire for several ethics questions, including having EPA employees run personal errands for him, as well as helping his wife secure a job. Bloomberg says Pruitt has been under scrutiny for months over a series of questionable decisions, which includes an arrangement to rent a condo on Capitol Hill from a lobbyist, as well as taxpayer-funded travel to his home state of Oklahoma. The latest revelations surrounding Pruitt have drawn sharp condemnation from some of his conservative allies. Pruitt enlisted aides to help his wife, Marilyn, find employment, including contacting the Chick-Fil-A CEO about possibly acquiring a franchise.

The USDA recently launched a new interactive feature on its website to help rural communities combat the opioid epidemic in rural America. There’s a new interactive map available on the rural opioid misuse webpage. The map is designed to help visitors learn more about, access, and replicate actions that other rural leaders are taking in small towns across the country to address the epidemic. The map will help visitors find out more about the most successful prevention, treatment, and recovery options that others are using to fight opioid abuse. Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, says the epidemic has taken a monumental toll on many of the small towns and rural places that are the heartbeat of our country. “USDA is a strong partner to rural leaders in addressing this issue through programs for prevention, treatment, and recovery, as well as programs that build rural resiliency and prosperity for the future.” USDA collected information on the most successful practices in combatting the opioid epidemic through a series of regional “roundtables” and through the “What’s working in your town?” form on the USDA opioid misuse webpage.

Ag groups have spent weeks engaging the Trump Administration for more insight into the future of trade tariffs. Those agricultural producers and related industries that depend on exports are now turning to Congress for help. The White House declared that Friday would be the day it announces the final list of $50 billion in Chinese products that would be charged a 25 percent tariff under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. In response, China says it will impose tariffs on approximately 106 U.S. goods amounting to approximately $50 billion. “Adding a 25 percent tariff on exports to China for U.S. wheat is the last thing we need during some of the worst economic times in farm country,” says National Association of Wheat Growers President Jimmie Musick. National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Skunes says, “Farmers cannot afford the immediate pain of retaliation, nor the longer-term erosion of long-standing market access with our closest allies.” Dennis Slater, President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, says, “Tariffs are taxes on American consumers and will put good-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs at risk.

The American Soybean Association was pleased that the Senate Ag Committee passed its proposed Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The ASA is calling for swift passage by the full Senate. “Soybean farmers across the country are in need of certainty during this time of low crop prices and volatile conditions affecting our export markets,” says ASA Vice President Davie Stephens. The American Farm Bureau Federation also was pleased with the Committee’s passage of the bill, given that low prices, rising interest rates, and the uncertain future of exports all hang heavy over America’s farm and ranch land. “We applaud the spirit of cooperation in the vote,” says AFB President Zippy Duvall. “We’re eager to see that spirit carry through onto the Senate floor in the days ahead. Farmers and ranchers are counting on lawmakers to come together and pass the farm bill soon.” The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association will be focusing on support for the bipartisan farm bill when the group hosts its annual D.C. Fly-In. “USCA appreciates the work that the Senate Ag Committee leadership did in seeking input from all groups and stakeholders in drafting this bill,” says USCA President Kenny Graner.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was the only member of the Senate Agriculture Committee to vote against the farm bill during Wednesday’s markup session. Grassley aired-out two concerns to the committee that led to his vote against the otherwise bipartisan bill. Grassley sought stronger payment limits to farmers in the bill, an idea he has long-supported. During a speech earlier this week, Grassley stated: “I do not believe in unlimited subsidies,” mentioning those included in the House bill. Grassley says farm programs “should provide temporary, limited assistance,” and later announced intention to offer an amendment on the Senate floor to include payment limits. During the markup session Wednesday, Grassley also said he had concerns with language in the bill regarding the cultivation of hemp that is supported by Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Grassley believes that McConnell’s bill should go through the Judiciary Committee, of which Grassley chairs. McConnell says he worked with the Justice Department and the Food and Drug Administration when crafting the language of the bill.

National Sorghum Producers hosted Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt in South Dakota Wednesday, holding a roundtable with area farmers and ethanol producers to address Renewable Fuels Standard concerns, the sorghum oil advanced biofuels pathway and EPA decisions that impact South Dakota farmers and ranchers. “We appreciate Administrator Pruitt for taking the time to listen to the concerns and challenges facing South Dakota producers,” Schindler said. “The changes in blending obligations related to RFS waivers are costing South Dakota farmers millions of dollars, and we hope to see the EPA take steps to resolve this issue and maintain the Administration’s commitment to renewable fuels.” Tom Willis, NSP board director and CEO of Conestoga Energy, the largest end-market user of sorghum in the U.S., told Administrator Pruitt the EPA’s policies have brought the renewable energy space and row crop producers to the edge of abyss and most plants are struggling to make a profit today. “Administrator Pruitt said he doesn’t want to pick winners and losers,” Willis said, “but EPA has already picked oil over rural America with his hardship RIN waivers.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee Wednesday passed its version of the farm bill, sending the legislation on to the full Senate for consideration. Senators voted 20-1, with just Iowa’s Chuck Grassley voting against the bill. The markup session included a visit by Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who told the Committee the Senate will consider the farm bill before the July Fourth recess. Further, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has asked his party to “not slow down” the process. In a joint statement, Committee leaders Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow said the bipartisan farm bill process “is a reminder of how things should work in Washington,” while urging their Senate colleagues to support the bill. Roberts said he was hopeful the Senate would consider the bill next week. The Senate bill was created to receive votes from both sides of the aisle, a stark difference from the Republican-only backed House version of the bill that failed last month. House Ag Democrats want to “go back to the drawing board” to fix the bill, while the Freedom Caucus is also demanding a vote on immigration before reconsidering the farm bill.