Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins' Iowa Visit: Trade Policies and Biofuel Investments
- Dave Price
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Days ahead of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” where he announced higher tariffs on approximately 50 countries, his U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins held several visits in Iowa to express support for farmers and biofuels. Rollins promised support for farmers who suffer because of the president’s trade war, $537 million in funding for biofuels, and responded to criticism about dismantling USAID priorities.
RELATED: This article traces U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ roots on her family farm.
Following her tour of a hog and corn operation in Waukee, near Des Moines, Rollins said that President Trump thinks that his global trade war will provide long term benefits to agricultural producers. "He believes very sincerely that for the long term, that this is the right move for the country, that ultimately the economy will thrive, that all Americans will be better off."
She also acknowledged that higher tariffs could hurt farmers, although she maintains that it would be short-term. "As you remember from President Trump’s first term, he will not forget our farmers when he negotiates with foreign leaders."
Trump’s trade war during his first term in office took a toll on farmers. The administration gave out $23 billion in taxpayer aid to some of the industries harmed, including corn and beans, livestock, and fruit and vegetable growers.
RELATED: Higher tariffs have been among the challenges facing nut producers in California. This American Farmland Owner story explains what else worked against the industry.
These days, some farmers are already dealing with lower prices, higher costs, and elevated interest rates. Tariff disruptions could threaten their economic viability.
Rollins said that while she believes that Trump’s tariffs will expand markets in the future, they may necessitate more aid this year if the president’s actions harm farmers. “We have some, you know, maybe a couple weeks, maybe a few months, while we're working all of that out.”
Secretary Rollins Announces Biofuels Funding
Republicans frequently use the term, “unleash American energy,” as they describe their commitment to expanding production to reduce prices. Rollins said during the 13th annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner sponsored by the state’s secretary of agriculture Monday night, that the Trump administration would support energy expansion with a $537 million commitment under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
“These projects will provide the crucial and critical infrastructure needed to support the increased capacity for higher biofuel blends, allowing our gas stations to add pumps and storage tanks for E15 and E85,” she said, “So, we’re doing some good stuff in Washington.”
