Brooke Rollins, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), indicated during her Senate nomination hearing that she is open to implementing direct payments to farmers to compensate for potential trade losses resulting from proposed tariffs. This approach mirrors strategies used during Trump’s first term.
Key Highlights:
Role and Responsibilities:
If confirmed, Rollins would oversee the $200 billion USDA, which manages a wide range of programs including nutrition, commodity support, farm loans, forestry, and trade.
Impact of Tariffs:
Previous tariffs on Chinese imports led to retaliatory tariffs on U.S. soybeans, prompting the administration to allocate billions in aid to farmers.
Trump has signaled intentions to impose tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada.
Trade Aid Considerations:
Rollins stated her discussions with former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue about managing the trade war, asserting, “We are prepared to execute something similar, if approved, if confirmed.”
However, some senators, including Michael Bennet from Colorado, expressed concerns, emphasizing that farmers prefer to export rather than rely on government aid.
Market Access and Trade Deficit:
Rollins emphasized her commitment to expanding access to international trade markets and addressing the $42 billion agricultural trade deficit.
Ethanol Controversy:
Rollins faced scrutiny regarding her previous criticisms of ethanol, a significant biofuel in U.S. agriculture. She clarified that while the organization she led published numerous papers, she did not author any critical of ethanol and supports all energy sources.
Immigrant Farmworker Protection:
Regarding the treatment of immigrant farmworkers amid Trump’s deportation plans, Rollins stated she would listen to the labor needs of farms but had no direct involvement in deportation discussions.
She acknowledged the need for reform in the H2A visa program for seasonal farm labor but did not provide specific proposals.