Figures from across the agriculture industry have responded to President-elect Trump’s pick for U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer, by pushing him to pursue new market access opportunities for American farmers.
“As one who knows the office, the policies, and the legal tools of trade, he will bring a wealth of experience to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during a pivotal time,” says Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. Bode says he looks forward to working with Greer “to open market access and on the review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.”
Greer, 44, served as then-USTR Robert Lighthizer’s chief of staff during the first Trump administration. He worked on several of the administration’s signature trade efforts – including shepherding the USMCA through Congress, retooling a free trade agreement with South Korea and the phase one deal with China.
Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president, says, “Soybeans are the United States’ largest agricultural export, and USTR’s work at addressing market access and non-tariff issues is critical for continued market growth.”
By the way: Trump said Greer would be tasked with reducing the U.S. trade deficit, defending U.S. agriculture and opening export markets.
In a statement, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said he expects Greer to “be a critical partner” in efforts to expand market access and boost the competitiveness of U.S. farmers. “I look forward to reviewing his nomination and discussing priorities when he appears before the Committee.” Crapo will chair the Senate Finance Committee next year, which is responsible for vetting USTR nominees.
One phone call on tariffs, two accounts
President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke on Wednesday evening after Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Mexican exports, but the pair shared different accounts of what was discussed, and whether Trump will push ahead with the 25% tariff remains unclear.
Trump, in a post to Truth Social, said he’d had a “wonderful conversation” with Sheinbaum. He recounted that the Mexican premier had “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.”
Meanwhile, in a post to Sheinbaum’s social media channels, the Mexican president said she explained Mexico’s strategy for tackling illegal migration to the incoming president, but made no mention of closing the southern border. She did, however, say during her regular press briefing on Thursday that there will be “no potential tariff war”– a sharp departure from threatening the U.S. president-elect with retaliation just two days prior.
Take note: Neither the Trump transition nor the Mexican embassy responded to Agri-Pulse’s requests for clarification on what was offered during that phone call Wednesday.
As for the north: Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau hustled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump Friday. Later, Trump said in a Truth Social post that Trudeau promised to work with the U.S. on border and trade issues. Trump has also threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
Lawmakers warn delays in IRS registrations for 45Z could cause market confusion
Lawmakers are pushing the Treasury Department to expedite registrations so companies can claim upcoming clean fuel tax credits.
Reps. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., and Mike Carey, R-Ohio, wrote to the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service with concerns that delays in registrations for the 45Z clean fuel production credit could cause market confusion.
In order for a taxpayers to claim the credit, which is set to take effect Jan. 1, they must have a signed registration letter from the IRS. Fuel producers say they have still not received this letter, however, despite submitting applications by the July 15 deadline.
“These delays are creating confusion in the marketplace and stand to have a significant negative economic impact on clean fuel producers, transportation fleets, fuel marketers, farmers and other economic sectors,” the lawmakers write.
The Treasury Department is still considering rules and guidance for the 45Z credit, which was included in the Inflation Reduction Act. The credits apply to renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and other biofuels.
GAO study sought on USDA Rural Development funding, hiring
The congressional delegations from Vermont and New Hampshire are asking the Government Accountability Office to look at funding levels and hiring practices in USDA’s Rural Development office that may be hampering its mission.
“Through more than 70 programs, RD delivers over $40 billion a year in loans, loan guarantees, and grants to rural communities, and manages a $200 billion loan portfolio,” the elected official say. “These programs create a crucial lifeline to rural communities by guaranteeing access to capital, and supporting community efforts related to disaster preparedness, resiliency, and recovery.”
But lack of sufficient funding and “internal processes that inhibit RD from hiring at scale” are preventing RD from fulfilling its mission, they said.
The letter to GAO was signed by Sens. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Reps. Becca Balint, D-Vt. and Chris Pappas, D-N.H.
DOGE to meet with Senate, House members
The Department of Government Efficiency, an effort led by billionaire Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is meeting with House members and senators this Thursday.
No time or location was included on the invitation made public last week, but there is sure to be considerable interest from House and Senate members eager to learn how Musk and Ramaswamy plan to significantly cut government programs.
Sen. Joni Ernst has already made public a list of recommendations to cut $2 trillion in spending, including clawing back $45 billion in funding for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is just beginning to award those funds.
Rebekah Alvey and Oliver Ward contributed to today’s Daybreak.
Questions, comments, tips? Email Steve Davies at Agri-Pulse.
