Farmers Voice Concerns Over Tariff Policies in Recent Webinar

Farmers from Iowa, Kansas, and Montana expressed their increasing frustration with the Trump administration’s trade policies during a recent webinar hosted by Tariffs Cost Us. They highlighted how various tariffs have adversely affected their operations, margins, communities, and the U.S.’s image as a dependable trading partner.

Over the past year, the imposition of tariffs has introduced a level of uncertainty into the agricultural economy. Many farmers are now grappling with how to adequately prepare for the 2026 growing season, including crucial decisions about what crops to plant this year and what market access will look like when it’s time to sell.

“Kansas farmers rely heavily on export markets, particularly for grains, sorghum, wheat, and soybeans. When tariffs disrupt trade or trigger retaliation, prices tend to drop, making markets increasingly unreliable. This creates challenges in securing contracts, managing risk, and planning for stable income as we head into the new year. The combination of higher initial costs and uncertain returns places farmers at a greater risk just to maintain operations,” said Nick Levendofsky, Executive Director of the Kansas Farmers Union.

He added, “Tariffs are not merely an abstract policy issue for farmers; they significantly influence how we plan our operations, what we choose to grow, and whether we can invest with confidence.”

Short and Long-Term Impacts of Tariffs on U.S. Farmers

The repercussions of tariffs extend beyond immediate financial pressure; they complicate long-term business relationships, as foreign markets begin to view the U.S. as an unreliable trading partner. Farmers continue to suffer from the effects of the first Trump administration’s tariffs.

“We have invested significant time and resources into trade development. We actively participate in trade organizations and travel to establish buyer relationships abroad. However, all our efforts are undermined by an erratic trade policy, as potential buyers increasingly see us as unreliable suppliers. Many of these buyers may never return, even years down the line,” noted Aaron Lehman, President of the Iowa Farmers Union.

He further explained, “During the last tariff crisis in 2018 and 2019, many Chinese buyers shifted their purchases to South American farmers, and some of these buyers have yet to return to American farmers. This trade turmoil not only impacts us today but can have lasting effects on future operations.”

Brazil’s agricultural sector has benefited from U.S. trade instability, exporting a record $169.2 billion worth of agricultural goods in 2025, as previously reported by AgTechNavigator.

The farmers urged Congress to take more decisive action to limit Trump’s use of tariffs, stressing that legislators are aware of how aggressive trade policies harm rural farming communities.

“Congress must act in its capacity as a co-equal branch of government concerning tariffs. The current imposition of tariffs by one individual—is not how this process is designed to operate under our laws and international trade agreements,” Levendofsky emphasized.

Effects of Pet Projects on Kansas Sorghum Farmers

The Trump’s administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is particularly detrimental to Kansas sorghum farmers. This crop was primarily utilized through USAID’s Food for Peace program, as Levendofsky pointed out.

“When this USAID program was eliminated, the price of grain sorghum plummeted. As a consequence, we now have mountains of unsold grain sorghum piled up in elevators across Kansas. There are even reports of grain elevators telling farmers, ‘You may plant grain sorghum next year, but we cannot guarantee that we will accept it,’” he elaborated.