As Iowa farmers look back on 2025 and begin planning for the year ahead, trade remains one of the biggest issues shaping the future of agriculture. It has been a year marked by disruption, uncertainty, and tight margins, leaving many producers searching for stability rather than short-term relief.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says there is no denying the challenges farmers faced in 2025, particularly in terms of trade. Tariffs and shifting policies created uncertainty, but Naig believes the renewed effort to address unfair trading relationships could ultimately lead to stronger outcomes for U.S. agriculture.
Naig says farmers understand that tariffs can be disruptive, but they also recognize they can be used as tools to bring trading partners to the table when long-standing barriers stand in the way. He points out that U.S. agriculture has faced both tariff and non-tariff obstacles in global markets, and that addressing those inequities is critical to long-term success.
At the same time, Naig acknowledges that many farmers are currently facing financial pressure. With declining commodity prices and rising input costs, margins have been compressed, leaving little room for error.
Naig says that reality is what led to the announcement of bridge payments, but he is quick to emphasize that farmers are not asking for government handouts. In fact, he says nearly every producer he visits would prefer functioning markets and open trade over temporary payments.
He explains that farmers want to earn their income through production and exports, not through assistance programs. Expanding trade, creating demand, and bringing certainty to markets would do far more to strengthen rural economies than any short-term payment ever could.
As 2026 approaches, Naig says urgency is critical. Trade frameworks and negotiations need to be finalized and implemented, not left in limbo. Policy certainty around market access and demand is essential for farmers making decisions about planting, investments, and risk management.
For consumers, Naig says this message matters. Farmers are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the opportunity to compete, to sell what they produce, and to continue feeding and fueling the world. Strong trade relationships, he says, do not just benefit farmers. They support rural communities, strengthen the broader economy, and help ensure a stable and affordable food supply for everyone.
