Budget Resolution Clears House, Setting Up Negotiations on Spending and Savings
On April 10, the House narrowly passed the Senate-amended budget resolution, 216–214, clearing the way for Republicans to begin reconciliation efforts to extend the 2017 tax cuts and pursue up to $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. The House Agriculture Committee was instructed to identify $230 billion in savings, compared to $1 billion in the Senate’s version. It remains unclear if or how the House Ag Committee will reach the targeted savings. Ag Committee leaders have also indicated the potential for adding enhanced Farm Bill and crop insurance programs, which would create additional costs that would also have to be offset.

MAHA Oversight Commission Letter
The USCA collaborated with other agricultural stakeholders on a congressional sign-on letter. As part of this effort, USCA helped secure 79 signatures from the House and Senate, including members from key canola-growing regions such as Minnesota, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. The letter was led by Senators Ricketts and Fischer, along with Representatives Feenstra and Alford. We recognize their leadership in promoting science-based, risk-driven approaches to public health policy. Ensuring that the Make America Healthy Again Commission bases its decisions on sound science is essential—not only for improving public health outcomes, but also for protecting the future of U.S. agriculture and maintaining a secure, affordable food supply. Read the MAHA Oversight Commission Letter.

USCA Submits Comments to Treasury on Biofuels Tax Credit
On April 10, USCA submitted comments on the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit Guidance, available here. Issued by the outgoing Biden Administration in January, the Guidance excluded canola-based biofuels from eligibility. USCA, coordinating with industry partners, urged the Administration to establish a temporary value for canola biofuels, remove indirect emissions from the calculation, and correct flaws in the direct emissions value. The current Administration has not yet indicated how it will implement 45Z, and USCA continues to engage with Congress and the Administration on the issue.

CFAA Workshop Examines Biofuels Emissions and Uncertainty of Indirect Land Use Analysis
USCA Director Tom Hance and representatives from several canola industry partners attended the annual workshop hosted by the Clean Fuels Alliance of America (CFAA). The workshop brings together practitioners and stakeholders to examine and discuss issues relating to biofuels’ life-cycle analysis. This year’s workshop, held in early April in Kansas City, MO, focused on indirect land use emissions and included perspectives from experts and academics. Participants included representatives from Argonne National Laboratory, which administers the GREET model that is being used to determine emissions and tax credit values for biofuels.

USDA Deferred Resignation (DRP, 2.0) and Reduction in Work Force (RIF)
The USDA is finalizing numbers on its second buyout offer, with reports indicating up to 12,000 employees may have accepted before the program closed last Tuesday. Leaders of the House Agriculture Committee, including Chair GT Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig, have expressed concerns about the loss of experienced staff and potential impacts on agency productivity. Craig plans to reach out directly to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who stated that FSA employees are exempt from buyouts to preserve frontline support for farmers. Rollins also noted that some offices, particularly those overlapping with agencies such as Rural Development, may undergo restructuring.

Overview of Updated U.S. Tariff Rates and Trade Adjustments
April saw significant shifts in U.S. trade policy, beginning with “Liberation Day,” when the U.S. imposed reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 47% on many countries. Shortly after, President Trump announced a 90-day pause, reducing most tariffs to a flat 10%, except for China, which now faces a 145% tariff after retaliating.

Breakdown of the Current Tariffs Being Implemented by the U.S:

• China: 145% Tariff
• All Other Countries with Reciprocal Tariffs (Annex 1): Reduced to 10%
• Canada and Mexico: 25% tariff on non-USMCA compliant products and 10% of non-USMCA energy and potash, 0% tariff on USMCA compliant products
• Aluminum and Steel: 25%

Breakdown of International Responses to U.S. Tariffs:

• China: 125% Tariff. China stated on April 11^th that they will not retaliate further.
• European Union: On April 9, the EU approved a €22 billion package of retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. While the final list has not been released, it is expected to closely mirror earlier proposals, minus bourbon, wine, and dairy. The tariffs were initially scheduled to roll out in three phases—April 15, May 1, and December 1—but following President Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on U.S. tariffs, the EU agreed on April 10 to pause its retaliatory measures for 90 days as negotiations continue.

Ambassador Greer Testifies on Tariffs, Trade Goals, and Negotiation Strategy
Earlier this month, USCA attended two key hearings on trade policy: the Senate Finance Committee Hearing on the President’s Trade Agenda and the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on U.S. Tariff Strategy. Below are takeaways from Ambassador Greer’s testimony:

• The primary goal of the tariffs is to achieve true reciprocity in trade relationships.
• The U.S. is open to negotiating with countries that propose plans to reduce trade deficits and eliminate both tariff and non-tariff barriers.
• Tariffs are intended as a short-term strategy to support long-term trade agreements.
• The U.S. will enforce measures against countries helping China circumvent tariffs, with implications for USMCA enforcement.

Ag Trade Update: USDA Nominee Heads to Senate, USTR Choice Revealed
The administration is moving forward with key leadership nominations for U.S. agricultural trade, with the Senate set to review the USDA undersecretary nominee and a new USTR chief ag negotiator announced.

USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs – On April 29, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing for nominee Luke Lindberg. During the hearing, Lindberg underscored the importance of promotional programs like MAP, RAPP, and FMD and stressed the need to eliminate non-tariff barriers to expand global market access for U.S. farmers.  A strong proponent of Free Trade Agreements, Lindberg brings extensive international trade experience in the role, currently serving as President & CEO of South Dakota Trade. He previously served as the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where he played a key role in strategic initiatives such as the U.S.-China trade program and critical export markets.

USTR Chief Ag Negotiator – President Trump will nominate Doug Hoelscher, an Iowa native currently working at the America First Policy Institute. Before joining AFPI in 2021, Hoelscher held two positions during the first Trump administration, first as the deputy director of White House intergovernmental affairs, then as the assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs. He also worked for the state of Iowa in the Office of State-Federal Relations and held multiple positions in the Department of Homeland Security during the George W. Bush administration.

Victory for North Dakota Farmers: HB 1318 Signed into Law with Support from Modern Ag Alliance
Governor Armstrong has signed HB 1318 into law, delivering a major win for North Dakota farmers and setting a national example for supporting agriculture. With strong bipartisan backing, the new law protects farmers’ access to essential, EPA-approved crop protection tools and shields companies from unnecessary litigation.

Leaders across North Dakota’s agricultural community—including corn, soybean, pulse, canola, and grain growers—applauded the legislation. “Canola growers rely on consistent access to safe crop protection technologies to keep costs low, yields high, and implement conservation practices like no-till farming.”  Tim Mickelson, President of the USCA and Northern Canola Growers Association, says. “Governor Armstrong’s signature on HB 1318 sends a clear message that our leaders understand what’s at stake for our farms and are committed to protecting our ability to effectively feed America.”

A recent survey found that 81% of North Dakotans support protecting access to crop protection products, reinforcing the strong public and industry support behind this new law. Read the press releases from Modern Ag Alliance and Bayer.

Setting the Record Straight: Canola Growers Defend the Facts on Seed Oils

A growing wave of misinformation about seed oils is causing concern among U.S. canola farmers. A recent Ambrook article, Praise the Lard, spotlights how online narratives amplified by political figures create confusion about healthy oils like canola. In the article, USCA President Tim Mickelson, interviewed on behalf of USCA, stresses the urgency of countering false claims with science, warning that public fear, even without new regulations, could damage consumer trust and farm incomes. Farmers are rallying to educate the public on canola oil’s proven health benefits and defend the future of U.S. oilseed agriculture. Read the full article, Praise the Lard?

USCA President Tim Mickelson Shares Canola Industry Insights with USDA Secretary
On April 22, during an Ag Leadership round table event in North Dakota, USCA and Northern Canola Growers President Tim Mickelson had the valuable opportunity to meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Tim shared firsthand insights into U.S. canola producers’ challenges and opportunities during their conversation.

Canola in the Crosshairs: Farmers Warn of Economic Fallout from RFK Jr.’s Health Push and Tariff Talk

In a recent article from the North Dakota Monitor, North Dakota canola farmers are raising concerns as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-seed oil campaign targets canola as part of the “Hateful Eight.” Coupled with talk of new tariffs on Canadian canola, the rhetoric is fueling market instability. Futures prices dropped 20% in March, and industry leaders warn the damage could deepen. “Canola is getting a double whammy,” USCA and Northern Canola Growers President Tim Mickelson says. “You’re going to hit the futures price negatively. You’re also going to hit the Canadian dollar negatively.” Farmers are urging federal officials to consider the scientific and economic impact before taking action. Read the full article, North Dakota Farmers Feeling Effects of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Health Kick.

Montana Canola Growers to Vote on New Checkoff Program Supported by PNWCA

The Pacific Northwest Canola Association (PNWCA) supports a ballot measure going to Montana canola growers in early June to vote on establishing a voluntary checkoff program. The proposed checkoff, set at 10 cents per hundredweight, would fund local research, marketing, and education efforts. Supporters believe it would enhance state-specific research and strengthen collaboration with other canola-growing regions. Read the article, Montana Canola Growers to Vote on Checkoff.

PNWCA Hosts Winter, Spring Canola Field Tours and Convention
The Pacific Northwest Canola Association (PNWCA) is planning several winter and spring canola field tours in May, June and July.

Collaborating with the Idaho Grain Producers Association, Oregon Wheat Growers League and Idaho Oilseed Commission for the first-ever Idaho Grain & Oilseed Convention, Nov. 18-20, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho.

View and subscribe to PNWCA 2025 Calendar Events.

Snap, Share, Win! PNWCA Launches Canola Photo Contest
The Pacific Northwest Canola Association (PNWCA) launched a new monthly photo contest for its members, focusing on regional canola production. Growers, industry and agency members can send entries to pnwcanola@gmail.com. The deadline for monthly entries is the close of business on the last day of each month. Check out the contest here.

USCA works to support and advance U.S. canola production, marketing, processing, and use through government and industry relations. Since its establishment in 1989, the association has helped domestic canola acreage grow from virtually zero to about 2 million. To learn more about USCA, go to: www.UScanola.com

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