Rollins eyes major overhaul to refocus on farmers, signals possible agency transfers... USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told Politico she is pursuing a “significant reorganization” of the department to refocus its mission on directly serving farmers and ranchers. “It has become a catch-all agency,” Rollins said, indicating that parts of USDA could be moved to other federal agencies to streamline its agricultural focus. While she did not specify which functions may be transferred, past Trump-era discussions have included relocating the Forest Service and shifting food safety responsibilities to Health and Human Services.
Of note: Rollins emphasized that Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff — key to administering farm safety net programs — will not be eligible for early retirement or deferred resignations. “The farmers can’t get the safety net… without that interaction with the FSA offices,” she said.
A Trump executive order reportedly in draft form would initiate some of these changes. Though lawmakers are expected to weigh in — as they did during a major USDA overhaul in the Clinton years — the extent of Congressional influence under Trump’s current reorganization drive remains uncertain.
Klobuchar: U.S. farmers starting to push back on Trump tariffs... Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the top Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee, said during a CNN State of the Union interview Sunday that farmers are “starting to show up and speak out.” She added: “Regular small businesses and farmers who have just tight margins and need a market for their soybeans out of southern Minnesota. They are not going to be able to absorb this. And they know that.”
China trade tensions & Trump’s strategy take center stage... China is openly threatening reciprocal countermeasures if any country signs trade deals with the U.S. that harm Chinese interests. Experts warn that China may offer Europe and others irresistible deals to isolate America. President Donald Trump remains undeterred, posting that the U.S. is “serious” and that countries must “right the wrongs of decades of abuse.” He urged nations to build in the U.S. as the “easiest path.” “Tariff negotiations are going well,” President Trump said Monday, adding “everybody wants to negotiate… We need a little more time,” Trump said about trade talks. More than 15 serious trade proposals are reportedly on the table, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox News. Trump is expected to meet directly with world leaders at the White House to finalize any major deals. The goal: cut a new global network of trade partnerships that isolates China and reduces the $300 billion-plus U.S./China trade deficit. Economist Stephen Moore and Interior Secretary Doug Bergum told Fox News that China’s economic fragility gives the U.S. the upper hand. China depends on imports for 25% of its calories and 11.5 million barrels of oil daily, said Bergum. The U.S. is a “food and energy superpower” with vastly higher corporate net worth, Bergum added. Moore says tit-for-tat retaliation would hurt China more than the U.S., especially as its stock market and economy struggle. Moore’s strategy: Trump must rapidly finalize side deals with Europe, Canada, Japan, and Korea — positioning China as the isolated outlier “still standing at the table.” Moore criticized Europe’s flirtation with China trade talks as a betrayal of the U.S. alliance: “What kind of an ally would do that?” He warns this is a “gut check moment” for Europe amid their own economic slowdown and need for access to the U.S. market. Of note: Burgum’s remarks align closely with Moore’s argument that China cannot withstand a prolonged economic standoff and that Trump’s aggressive trade posture is backed by strong fundamentals in energy and agriculture.
Trump pressures Japan on rice tariffs; Ishiba pushes back... President Donald Trump has accused Japan of imposing a 700% tariff on U.S. rice, using it to justify reciprocal tariffs on Japanese imports. During recent trade talks, Trump demanded greater access for American rice and other agricultural goods. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded firmly, vowing not to “keep conceding to U.S. demands” and defending Japan’s need to protect sensitive sectors like agriculture. While acknowledging high tariffs on rice above quota levels, Ishiba clarified that Japan maintains a tariff-free quota for staple rice.
Thai PM says U.S. tariff negotiations postponed to review ‘issues’... Thailand’s trade talks with Washington originally scheduled for Wednesday were postponed because the U.S. has asked Bangkok to review important issues, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said. “We’re not too slow and we are reviewing issues, including our tariffs that may be adjusted appropriately,” Paetongtarn said, adding that Thai agriculture exports and additional imports were being examined. “We are protecting the agricultural interests as much as possible,” she said, adding negotiations should be mutually beneficial.
Sheinbaum: No deal yet with Trump on auto, metal tariffs... Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said no agreement has been reached with Trump on proposed U.S. tariffs targeting Mexican goods, including a 25% levy on imported vehicles and metals. While Trump described their recent conversation as “very productive,” Sheinbaum emphasized that negotiations are still ongoing at both the presidential and ministerial levels. Mexico’s economy ministry is pushing for progress ahead of the May 3 deadline, when U.S. auto part tariffs are set to take effect.
U.S. imposes hefty duties on Southeast Asian solar panels... U.S. duties reaching 3,521% were set on solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries, delivering a win for American manufacturers but intensifying the headwinds threatening renewable power development. The duties announced Monday are the culmination of a yearlong trade probe that found solar manufacturers in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand were unfairly benefiting from government subsidies and selling exports to the U.S. at rates lower than the cost of production. The investigation was sought by domestic solar manufacturers and initiated under former President Joe Biden. The levies will be in addition to new widespread tariffs imposed by President Trump.
Listening sessions on redefining WOTUS... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army will host a series of listening sessions next week to gather input on revising the definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This initiative follows EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s March 12 announcement to align WOTUS policy with the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, aiming to streamline regulations, lower compliance costs, and address cost-of-living concerns. The agencies plan to revise the 2023 WOTUS definition through a proposed rule informed by practical stakeholder feedback. Listening sessions will be open to state officials, industry and agriculture representatives, environmental groups, local governments, Tribes and the general public.
Key dates and participants:
- States: April 29, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ET
- Industry & Agriculture: May 1, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ET
- Environmental & Conservation: May 1, 1–3:30 p.m. ET
Location: EPA headquarters (Washington, DC); virtual attendance available.