Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee urged Secretary of Commerce Harold Lutnick to rein in the Trump Administration’s disastrous trade policies, including its escalating trade wars with Canada and Mexico. Pingree and her colleagues underscored the immediate and long-term impacts of President Trump’s chaotic approach to tariffs—especially on America’s farmers, who are already reeling from the Administration’s illegal and unconstitutional freeze on federal funding. 

“Trade with our North American allies is vital for American farmers. Over decades, the United States has built an integrated agricultural system that relies upon Mexico and Canada both as export markets and for vital inputs,” they wrote. “This is not a system that can be upended overnight. The on and off approach that the Administration has taken toward implementing and removing tariffs creates uncertainty for farmers, increases prices for consumers and leads to volatility in the marketplace. None of these outcomes benefit farm country.” On January 31, the Administration announced plans to implement a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on Canadian energy products. Three days later, they agreed to a one-month delay—contingent upon the two countries taking specific actions related to border security.

The tariffs took effect on March 4. The following day, the Administration announced exemptions for auto imports until April 2, as well as a reduced tariff for certain fertilizer products. 

However, if the exempted tariffs eventually go into effect, farm groups warn that costs for both farmers and consumers are almost certain to rise. 

“American farmers have fought hard for decades to gain access to foreign markets, and they rely on partnerships with our allies in North America to be successful and turn a profit,” the letter continues. “The Administration’s current stance on trade policy is a bad deal for farmers and a bad deal for Americans. We urge you to pursue trade negotiation through established channels and abandon the chaotic approach to tariffs that the administration has employed.”

The full text of the letter is available here and copied below. 

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Dear Secretary Lutnick:

As members of the House Committee on Agriculture, we write to you with great concern over the chaotic approach that the Administration has taken toward trade policy. Trade with our North American allies is vital for American farmers. Over decades, the United States has built an integrated agricultural system that relies upon Mexico and Canada both as export markets and for vital inputs. This is not a system that can be upended overnight. The on and off approach that the Administration has taken toward implementing and removing tariffs creates uncertainty for farmers, increases prices for consumers and leads to volatility in the marketplace. None of these outcomes benefit farm country.

Right now, across the country, many farmers are beginning to calve and are preparing for planting season. The last thing they need is uncertainty about whether fertilizer and energy prices will shoot up or if they can move their cattle across the northern border to feedlots in Canada. In calendar year 2024 the U.S. exported $176 billion in agricultural products. Mexico and Canada were the top two destinations for U.S. agricultural exports at $30.31 billion and $28.38 billion respectively. Combined, that is roughly a third of total U.S. agricultural exports. Contrary to some statements, U.S. consumers cannot just absorb those products. Different consumer preferences and varied production levels dictate what we export and what is sold domestically. Certain products that are popular in other countries will not just become popular in the U.S. We need foreign markets so that farmers and ranchers can recoup the value of their products. Farmers are already facing down an agricultural trade deficit, which widened in January. The implementation of tariffs could exacerbate it.

There is nothing fun about tariffs. The more the Administration threatens to implement and then remove tariffs the less reliable we appear. This leads to an unstable business environment and harms our credibility with our neighbors. If the Administration continues to threaten and implement tariffs it will force Mexico and Canada to seek partnerships with other countries. That will mean lost long-term market access for American farmers. It is very easy to give up market access, it is much more difficult to get it back. 

American farmers have fought hard for decades to gain access to foreign markets, and they rely on partnerships with our allies in North America to be successful and turn a profit. The Administration’s current stance on trade policy is a bad deal for farmers and a bad deal for Americans. We urge you to pursue trade negotiation through established channels and abandon the chaotic approach to tariffs that the administration has employed.

Sincerely,

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