The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision on the legality of President Trump’s tariffs soon and USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade says he’s confident President Trump’s tariffs are appropriate.
Luke Lindberg says the tariffs have helped improve the U.S. trade deficit.
“We ended the fiscal year 2025 with a $41.5 billion trade deficit. That was an $8.5 billion improvement on the forecast that USDA was making this time last year. And we are moving forward, looking at 2026 with a $37 billion trade deficit,” he says.
Lindberg tells Brownfield regardless of the ruling, the administration has multiple pathways to pursue a reciprocal trade agenda.
He also says the USDA will continue working with U.S. farmers to promote U.S. ag goods for new and existing trade deals.
“These trade deals really kind of crack the door open and it’s USDA’s job to work with our farm groups to drive a truck through it.”
Lindberg says the most challenging part about expanding U.S. ag exports isn’t demand, but overcoming regulatory, political and structural barriers.
