Welcome to another tariff deadline week in Washington. President Donald Trump says Wednesday is “the big one.” That’s when he’s expected to unveil his plan for reciprocal duties on U.S. trade partners that apply higher tariff rates than the U.S., although the messaging around the scope of the new duties has been mixed.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested earlier this month that the initial tranche of reciprocal duties could focus on just 15 trade partners with which the U.S. has persistent trade deficits – a so-called “dirty 15.”

But Trump told reporters last week that this week’s tariff announcement would, in fact, cover every country.

Keep in mind: Trump also expected to say whether he will increase existing tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Also this week: The chairs of the House and Senate Ag committees will meet to discuss their plans for a budget reconciliation bill that Republicans are trying to craft.

For more on that and the president’s tariff plans, read our Washington Week Ahead.

Produce sector appeals for tariff carveouts for seasonal imports

The International Fresh Produce Association is calling on the Trump administration to exempt seasonal imports from upcoming tariffs to avert price hikes on consumers.

IFPA CEO Cathy Burns has written to senior administration officials to stress that some products cannot be grown in the U.S. In those instances, tariffs would add costs to consumers without protecting U.S. jobs.

Other produce can only be grown in the U.S. during specific times, Burns said.

“U.S. growers and suppliers rely on imports to supplement domestic production and meet year-round demand for fruits and vegetables,” Burns wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Fresh produce group sends recommendations to MAHA panel

The International Fresh Produce Association is recommending the Make America Healthy Commission reform federal nutrition programs to promote more fruits and vegetable consumption. The group also suggests including produce prescriptions as a covered benefit under federal healthcare programs. 

In a letter, the organization details seven recommendations to increase food and vegetable consumption, in line with the administration’s goal of addressing diet-related diseases. Rollins, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary all sit on the commission. 

One of the suggested policies would financially incentivize produce through a federal tax credit for fruits and vegetables that meet dietary guideline recommendations. Additionally, IFPA suggests making produce an authorized expense under Health Savings and Flexible Savings Accounts. 

IFPA also is pushing for greater nutrition labeling, expanding produce purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and analyzing purchasing through federal feeding programs to ensure it aligns with healthy eating goals. 

Meanwhile: Kennedy is encouraging state leaders to request SNAP waivers to limit soda purchases. On Friday, West Virginia’s governor said he planned to request this waiver, and explore additional work requirements for SNAP participants. The governor also recently signed a bill banning certain food chemicals. 

Kennedy celebrated the state’s MAHA moves and said the Trump administration would grant the waivers.

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Take note: The authority to grant the waivers lies with USDA. Rollins said she looks forward to receiving the request and will ensure the state has the “technical assistance and expertise to move forward.” 

AFGE vows to fight executive order eliminating bargaining rights

A major federal employee union is vowing to fight an effort by President Trump to strip its members of bargaining rights.

An executive order issued last week targets over 1 million federal workers, the American Federation of Government Employees said. Among them: employees at the Bureau of Land Management, Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety and Inspection Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The executive order cites “national security requirements and considerations” in explaining why employees at those agencies should not have bargaining rights.

AFGE President Everett Kelley says the union is preparing “immediate legal action and will fight relentlessly to protect our rights, our members, and all working Americans from these unprecedented attacks.”

AFGE notes that federal unions cannot bargain over wages but are limited to negotiating employment conditions. Wages, benefits, and job classifications are set by law.

Seed, grain dealer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Benson Hill Holdings, a Missouri-based seed and grain dealer, is restructuring after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

The soy innovation company said a Delaware bankruptcy judge’s order has given Benson Hill access to $11 million in financing from existing lenders, including Expedition Ag Holdings, S2G Investments, Steve Kahn, and ProAgInvest. An initial $3 million will be available immediately “to support payroll, vendor payments, and other critical operating expenses,” the company says.

A spokesperson says farmers should expect “business as usual” operations for the 2025 planting season.

Interim CEO Daniel Cosgrove cites “significant market headwinds in the food, aquaculture and specialty oil markets” as reasons for the decision to seek restructuring, according to court documents.

Meanwhile: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says producers who haven’t been paid for grain sold to Benson Hill can apply to the state’s Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund. The fund will pay up to 90% of losses up to a maximum of $300,000.

Final word

Following their D.C. fly-in, leaders for the American Coalition for Ethanol feel optimistic lawmakers are willing to fight for the 45Z tax credit in upcoming reconciliation talks.  

“In terms of reconciliation, there's strong support from Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the Hill for 45Z,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of ACE. “What we gathered from members is some of them are willing to go to the mat to fight for it.” 

 For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.