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NFU supports Congressional oversight of tariff regulation

The president of the National Farmers Union says Congressional oversight of tariffs could help bring some stability to the ag economy.

Rob Larew tells Brownfield NFU supports fair trade and policies that level the playing field, but, “Being so aggressive with these tariffs, we know that farmers and ranchers are always on the front lines of any kind of trade war. We’re seeing that impact once again with China. Ultimately what this means for farmers and ranchers as we know, is that our input costs are going to go up and our market prices typically go lower.”

NFU recently sent a letter to the US House and Senate asking lawmakers to support the Trade Review Act of 2025.

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation, introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Maria Cantwell of Washington, and Representatives Don Bacon of Nebraska and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, would restore Congressional review and approval of tariffs, which is outlined in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution.

Larew says he’d like to see more support for the legislation. “It also helps send the message to the White House, to USDA, to the U.S. Tade Representative Office that farmers and ranchers are watching this very carefully. We have to make sure that everyone is consulted through the process.”

In a statement to Brownfield, Bacon says he supports certain reciprocal tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, but the legislation is a commitment to uphold the Constitution by ensuring Congress can check and balance the powers of the executive branch.

Rob Larew, National Farmers Union: