Top Trump administration officials defended the president’s reciprocal tariff strategy in a series of Sunday news show appearances, emphasizing its impact on American farmers and the agriculture industry.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration is prioritizing trade fairness for rural America. “For decades, the way we have been treated in this country — and especially our farmers and ranchers — is absolutely stunning,” Rollins said. “We have been living under a tariff regime, but it has been the regime of other countries. The President is working to fix it.”
Rollins also reiterated the administration’s commitment to biofuels. “Ethanol is a very important part of our energy independence strategy,” she said. “President Trump has been unequivocal in his support for ethanol.”
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, appearing on This Week, highlighted new opportunities abroad. “Our farmers are finally going to have access to the world’s markets,” he said. “Our farmers have never had the opportunity to sell corn in India.”
U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer echoed that sentiment on Face the Nation, calling the global trade agenda a push to “reshore American manufacturing and address the trade deficit.” Greer added that “the only reason we’re really in this position right now is because China chose to retaliate.”
The administration indicated it expects several trade deals to close soon. “My goal is to get meaningful deals before 90 days,” Greer said. “And I think we’re going to be there with several countries in the next few weeks.”