President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs for most U.S. trading partners, offering a temporary reprieve in his ongoing global trade conflict. The pause excludes China, which will now face a staggering 125 percent tariff rate — effective immediately — following what Trump called a lack of “respect” for global markets.

The move is a dramatic shift in Trump’s trade policy and comes after more than 75 countries reportedly reached out to the U.S., expressing willingness to negotiate.

“These countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way,” Trump said in a statement posted today on Truth Social. “I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10 percent, also effective immediately.”

The tariff pause, however, does not roll back previous duties and does not apply to products like steel, aluminum, autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, which remain subject to existing or planned tariffs.

Among the most-discussed agricultural products in the tariff discussions are soybeans, especially because China is such a major export market for them. U.S. soybean exports to China have already declined significantly since their peak in 2018.

“While it was not unexpected, the resulting cloud of concern following the administration’s tariff announcement is not without fallout — in the form of continued market uncertainty, the threat of lost business to existing soy markets due to potential tariff retaliation, price increases on inputs and more,” the American Soybean Association said. The ASA estimates U.S. soybean producers could lose $5.9 billion annually due to the tariffs.

In response to the announcement of the pause, Associated Equipment Distributors President & CEO Brian P. McGuire welcomed the pause, urging policymakers to use the window to find a long-term solution.

“AED encourages continued negotiations that result in free and fair trade, and in long-term certainty for the equipment industry and our customers,” he said. “The time is now for our leaders in Washington to focus efforts on enacting tax policies that incentivize capital investment and economic growth rather than imposing trade barriers on our key partners.”

The White House has yet to clarify which nations fall under the 90-day pause. Meanwhile, the European Union is expected to enact retaliatory tariffs next week, potentially escalating tensions once more. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that core tariffs on key sectors will remain in place, signaling that while the rhetoric may have cooled temporarily, the broader trade conflict is far from over.

Trump has long promoted tariffs as the key to solving America’s economic challenges. When he unveiled his latest plan on April 2 — calling it “Liberation Day”– he declared it a turning point that would put an end to what he described as decades of the U.S. being taken advantage of by other nations.

The National Sorghum Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2025-26 academic scholarships for college students studying agriculture.

“The future of agriculture depends on strong, passionate leaders,” said Foundation Chair Jeff Dahlberg. “These scholarships are one way we can invest in the next generation and support students who are committed to advancing sorghum and agricultural innovation.”

The National Sorghum Foundation awarded $4,500 in scholarships to last year’s recipients: Charles Colvin of Penn State, Andrew Marchetti of Texas A&M, and Allie Herring of Texas Tech. Each received $1,500 for their academic excellence in agricultural studies. Herring, the Bill Kubecka Memorial Scholarship winner, also traveled to Washington, D.C., to explore ag policy with National Sorghum Producers.

Bruce Maunder Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors Bruce Maunder, a lifelong advocate and researcher in the sorghum industry. Maunder dedicated 37 years of his life to sorghum and crop improvement and inspired a new generation along the way. Applicants must be sophomores through seniors and enrolled in agriculture-based degree programs.

Darrell Rosenow Memorial Scholarship

Darrell Rosenow revolutionized hybrid sorghum in the United States, spending more than 40 years as a sorghum plant breeder. Students must be sophomores through seniors enrolled in agriculture-based science programs related to agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, and/or plant breeding with an emphasis on sorghum.

Bill Kubecka Memorial Scholarship

A leader in the sorghum industry for more than two decades, Bill Kubecka created a legacy of dedication and service to the industry he loved. In addition to the tuition award, this scholarship includes travel expenses for the selected student to attend the National Sorghum Producers’ annual legislative fly-in. Undergraduate sophomores through seniors, graduate students, and law school students are eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled in a curriculum related to agricultural economics, agricultural policy, or agricultural law.

Each scholarship is valued at $1,500, and the application window is open now through June 1, 2025.

More information about each scholarship’s criteria and application forms is available here.

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced bipartisan legislation to curb anti-competitive practices in the meatpacking industry and reduce rising grocery prices, particularly for meat and eggs.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture office dedicated to enforcing antitrust laws and investigating potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The new office would work in coordination with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to hold the nation’s four dominant meatpackers accountable.

Today, just four companies control 85 percent of the beef market and 67 percent of the pork market, which is up from 36 percent and 34 percent in 1980. Lawmakers say this level of consolidation has enabled the meatpackers to drive up consumer prices while squeezing local ranchers out of fair competition.

“For too long, Oregon ranchers and consumers have been greedily exploited by the Big Four meatpackers that sneak their way around regulations,” Wyden said. “While local ranchers work tirelessly day and night to support their small business and feed families across the country, these big companies keep raking in bigger bills at the expense of local communities in red and blue states alike. It’s way past time to level the playing field for local ranchers and bring grocery prices down for consumers at the meat counter by better enforcing laws that are already on the books.”

“Vermonters rely on fresh foods from local farmers and ranchers to feed their families,” Welch said. “But with meat and dairy prices at the grocery store soaring sky high, small producers across the country are struggling to make ends meet and support their businesses. The rapid consolidation of the meatpacking industry further cripples fair competition. Our bipartisan bill will bring down costs for consumers and create opportunities for producers in red and blue states alike.”

Supporters of the bill say it will provide long-overdue oversight and restore fair competition. Grassley noted that anti-competitive behavior has long hurt Iowa cattle producers. Rounds emphasized that two of the four meatpackers are foreign-owned, further reducing transparency and market fairness.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act is endorsed by the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. Cosponsors in the Senate include Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Cory Booker, D-N.J.

“If the bad actors in the marketplace have nothing to hide, then they should have no problem with reinforcing USDA’s oversight authority through the measures provided in this bill. It’s not enough that producers stand on a level playing field in the marketplace — there also needs to be a referee, with a whistle, there to throw a flag when there’s a penalty. USCA fully supports the Meat Packing Special Investigator Act and would like to applaud our Champions for ‘Competition’ in the Senate who never waiver on supporting producers not just in Oregon, South Dakota, and Iowa — but across the countryside,” said Justin Tupper, president of the United States Cattlemen’s Association.

“A special investigator at USDA is an important step to cracking down on unfair practices and leveling the playing field for independent livestock producers. Senators Wyden, Rounds, and Grassley get it — strong enforcement keeps monopolies in check. When family farmers and ranchers thrive, so do our rural communities,” said Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union.