Trump administration considering tariff waivers for essential agricultural goods
The president has temporarily suspended tariffs on automobiles and auto parts brought in from Canada and Mexico, boosting optimism that additional industries might also receive exemptions from the significant new tariffs.
TroibNews 
The Trump administration is considering additional exemptions from the recently implemented tariffs on Canada and Mexico, specifically targeting the agriculture industry.
Lawmakers from farming states are expressing significant concern regarding the potential repercussions for the U.S. agriculture sector. In light of this, officials are contemplating waiving the 25 percent tariff on certain agricultural products, including Canadian potash, which is a vital component of fertilizer. This information comes from two individuals familiar with the discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the deliberations continue.
The White House has yet to provide a response to a request for comment.
Canada is recognized as the leading global supplier of potash, and the U.S. relies heavily on this mineral from its northern neighbor. Jamie Tronnes, the executive director of the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, emphasized the difficulty of sourcing potash elsewhere, stating, “You cannot export a potash mine. It’s in the ground [in Canada]. You can’t just get it.”
Prior to the tariffs taking effect on Tuesday, GOP lawmakers had already started advocating for exemptions for potash, warning that potential supply shortages or price increases could exacerbate rising food costs.
On Wednesday, House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson joined the discussion and revealed in an interview that he had requested the White House to consider exemptions for agricultural inputs. His advocacy was encouraged by President Donald Trump’s announcement to pause the North American tariffs on autos and auto parts at the request of car manufacturers.
This marks the first instance in which Thompson explicitly stated his push for a carve-out, following the efforts of other GOP lawmakers such as Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Zach Nunn.
“I absolutely am weighing in … things like potash, nitrogen, I’d throw peat moss in there, too, because that’s important to horticulture and mushroom growers,” Thompson remarked. “I'm not bashful about weighing in with the White House. I got a great relationship with everyone, including the president. The worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.”
Nunn also addressed the situation in an interview on Wednesday, indicating that the Trump administration has been receptive to the requests from him and other lawmakers from farming states. “They're being receptive, that's what we would expect,” he noted.
Ari Hawkins contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Lawmakers from farming states are expressing significant concern regarding the potential repercussions for the U.S. agriculture sector. In light of this, officials are contemplating waiving the 25 percent tariff on certain agricultural products, including Canadian potash, which is a vital component of fertilizer. This information comes from two individuals familiar with the discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the deliberations continue.
The White House has yet to provide a response to a request for comment.
Canada is recognized as the leading global supplier of potash, and the U.S. relies heavily on this mineral from its northern neighbor. Jamie Tronnes, the executive director of the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, emphasized the difficulty of sourcing potash elsewhere, stating, “You cannot export a potash mine. It’s in the ground [in Canada]. You can’t just get it.”
Prior to the tariffs taking effect on Tuesday, GOP lawmakers had already started advocating for exemptions for potash, warning that potential supply shortages or price increases could exacerbate rising food costs.
On Wednesday, House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson joined the discussion and revealed in an interview that he had requested the White House to consider exemptions for agricultural inputs. His advocacy was encouraged by President Donald Trump’s announcement to pause the North American tariffs on autos and auto parts at the request of car manufacturers.
This marks the first instance in which Thompson explicitly stated his push for a carve-out, following the efforts of other GOP lawmakers such as Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Zach Nunn.
“I absolutely am weighing in … things like potash, nitrogen, I’d throw peat moss in there, too, because that’s important to horticulture and mushroom growers,” Thompson remarked. “I'm not bashful about weighing in with the White House. I got a great relationship with everyone, including the president. The worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.”
Nunn also addressed the situation in an interview on Wednesday, indicating that the Trump administration has been receptive to the requests from him and other lawmakers from farming states. “They're being receptive, that's what we would expect,” he noted.
Ari Hawkins contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
