Today, Bayer Crop Science filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking tariffs on glyphosate products imported from China. Bayer argues that these imports have made it more difficult for U.S.-based crop protection manufacturers to compete. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Sam Kieffer issued the following statement: “Wheat farmers cannot predict the future. But we know that U.S. tariffs on Russian and Moroccan phosphates cost wheat farmers $1 billion in additional and unnecessary fertilizer expenses over the last five years. “Tariffs on imported glyphosate will be felt by American farmers. Wheat growers are already facing stubbornly high input costs, weak commodity prices, and continued market uncertainty. This announcement comes at a difficult time in a tough farm economy. “Farmers need reliable access to affordable crop protection products and a competitive marketplace—not new trade barriers that could drive up costs. NAWG opposes tariffs and urges the ITC to fully consider the impacts on American farmers, rural economies and the U.S. food system.”
The American Soybean Association strongly opposes action taken by Monsanto Company and its subsidiary, Ruveon LLC, to file a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce seeking antidumping and countervailing duties on glyphosate imports from the People’s Republic of China – the world’s largest producer and exporter of glyphosate. Bayer – the parent company of Monsanto – is the only domestic manufacturer and supplier of glyphosate. Glyphosate remains a critical crop protection tool that soybean farmers rely on to produce an efficient and reliable crop. At a time when producers continue to face tight margins and significant economic uncertainty exacerbated by rising costs, it is imperative that farmers have access to an affordable, reliable, and competitive supply of inputs they depend on to remain competitive in the global soybean marketplace. Soybean growers are dependent on a variety of input products to support crop production, and actions to impose import taxes on those products limits market competition, threatens cost spikes, and ultimately hurts U.S. farmers. ASA has consistently opposed actions taken by input suppliers to restrict imports through countervailing duty and antidumping actions. ASA strongly opposed the countervailing duty petition filed by Mosaic and Simplot to restrict phosphate fertilizer imports. A recent Texas A&M study found that these duties cost growers $6.9 billion from 2021 to 2025. ASA asked the Trump Administration to terminate the duties on imported phosphate fertilizer; ASA cheered President Trump’s recent Executive Order that suspended these duties for eight months and ASA is seeking to fully terminate the duties. Similarly, ASA strongly opposed action taken by Corteva to have countervailing and anti-dumping duties imposed on imports of 2,4-D, another important herbicide used widely by farmers. Last year, ASA argued against duties on 2,4-D at the U.S. Court of International Trade. ASA is reviewing the petitions and evaluating the potential implications for soybean farmers. As this process moves forward, ASA will advocate for policies that protect farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools while maintaining a stable and affordable supply of agricultural inputs. Soybean farmers rely on science-based regulatory decisions, competitive markets, and a resilient supply chain to remain productive and globally competitive. ASA will continue to engage with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the interests of America’s soybean farmers remain at the forefront throughout this process.
