Joshua Baethge

Dallas

Policy Editor at Farm Progress

Policy Editor- Farm Progress. Writer of other things across the land. News junkie. Music lover. Aspiring world traveler

Articles

Tariffs slashed in 90-day deal to restart negotiations

3 days ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

The United States and China agreed, at least temporarily, to dial back high tariffs imposed in April. Following negotiations in Geneva on Monday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the U.S. is lowering its 145% tariffs on Chinese imports to 30%. In return, China will lower its tariff rate on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. Those rates will remain in effect for 90 days as the two nations work to hammer out a new trade deal.
USDA suspends Mexico livestock imports over screwworm concerns

3 days ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

USDA is suspending live animal imports from Mexico. The decision announced May 11 by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was made due to concerns over New World screwworm and its rapid spread. According to an agency release, the screwworms have been reported in remote farms near Oaxaca and Veracruz in southern Mexico. Those cities are roughly 700 miles from the U.S. border.
$5 billion boost for American farmers

5 days ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

President Donald Trump announced May 8 that the U.S. and the United Kingdom had agreed in principle to a new trade deal. Though many of the specifics still need to be ironed out, the president hailed the agreement as a positive step for agriculture. “The deal I made today with the United Kingdom is GREAT for our FARMERS and RANCHERS!” Trump said in a May 8 Truth Social post, replete with all caps and exclamation points.
FSA office closures denied, but doubts remain

1 week ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA will not close any of its Farm Service Agency offices. At least that’s not the plan, she told senators during an Appropriations Committee hearing April 6. Rollins was there to discuss President Donald Trump’s May 2 budget proposal, which includes $358 million in cuts to FSA.
Farm income concerns for 2025

1 week ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

In a perfect world, tariffs would help U.S. farmers in the long run by creating:More jobs here. If more jobs, especially in manufacturing, return to the U.S., consumers would have more disposable income to buy domestic ag products. More trade deals. Motivating nations to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. ultimately creates more business opportunities for farmers and other businesses. This is the vision President Donald Trump repeatedly lays out.
EPA authorizes summer E15 sales citing energy emergency

2 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

For the fourth straight year, EPA will issue an emergency waiver authorizing nationwide summer E15 sales. This continues something of an annual tradition that started during the Biden administration. Still, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said credit for the decision should go to President Trump and his executive order declaring a national energy emergency. That order includes language directing EPA to consider summer E15 sales.
USDA allocates $340.6M disaster aid to farmers and rural communities

3 weeks ago | beefmagazine.com | Joshua Baethge |Sarah McNaughton

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins credits Trump for expediting assistance. SPECIAL EVENT: Sen. John Hoeven (left) of North Dakota hosted USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, other elected officials and David Cook (right), president of North Dakota State University, on April 22.Sarah McNaughton-PetersonAgriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA will release $340.6 million in disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
USDA allocates $340.6M disaster aid to farmers and rural communities

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge |Sarah McNaughton-Peterson

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA will release $340.6 million in disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The funding will be delivered from USDA’s Disaster Assistance Fund to those impacted by recent natural disasters. Rollins made the announcement during an event at North Dakota State University’s Peltier Complex. It was one of a series of stops she made April 22 in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Trump administration to ease farm worker immigration rules

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge |Todd Fitchette

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said easing restrictions for noncitizen farmworkers is a top priority, as labor shortages continue to strain farmers across the U.S. Changes to the H-2A visa program and new legal pathways could offer relief soon. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the Trump administration is working to finalize more lenient guidelines for noncitizen farmworkers by harvest season. She said it’s an issue she’s had many long conversations with the president about over the years.
Trump tariff pause spares farmers, China faces 125% duties

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge

President Trump’s tariff policy shift brings a 90-day pause for most nations, but China isn’t on the list. As ag exports hang in the balance, farmers worry about escalating trade wars and higher equipment costs. President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs became the law of the land the morning of April 9. By the afternoon, however, he changed course, announcing a 90-day pause on higher duties he imposed across the world.