South Iowa News

Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa’s 3rd District has called on the Biden administration to take immediate action to address challenges facing Iowa soybean producers amid a trade dispute with China. In a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Nunn urged a coordinated federal response to restore access to foreign markets and strengthen domestic demand for soybeans.

Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin’s 3rd District joined Nunn in signing the letter. The correspondence comes as China, historically the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, has halted purchases from American producers and shifted toward other global suppliers. This move has contributed to falling prices, full storage bins, and disruptions in biofuel and livestock supply chains for Iowa farmers.

“Right now, bins are full, prices are underwater, and the ongoing government shutdown is adding even more uncertainty to an already tough situation,” said Rep. Nunn. “That’s leaving producers flying blind and asking a simple question: What’s the plan to fix this?”

The letter outlines requests for prompt federal steps to support farmers dealing with these market changes.

Nunn acknowledged input from agricultural groups in his statement: “Thank you to the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, and the National Oilseed Processors Association for sharing your concerns,” he said. “I share both your frustration and your commitment to restoring certainty for our producers. Iowa farmers deserve to compete on fair terms, and I look forward to hearing back from the administration.”

Industry leaders also commented on the situation. Devin Mogler, President and CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association, noted recent investments in processing capacity but emphasized the need for clear biofuels policy guidance: “The U.S. soybean processing industry has invested over $6 billion to expand capacity by more than 25%, creating new demand and adding value to our farmers’ soybeans right here at home,” Mogler said. “But we need certainty on biofuels policy to ensure the industry can run at capacity, particularly coming off a record harvest. We greatly appreciate Congressman Nunn’s leadership in working with the administration to finalize strong RVOs and 45Z so these policies translate into value at the farmgate.”

Tom Adam, President of the Iowa Soybean Association, stressed the importance of maintaining international trade relationships: “Agriculture prospers when America leads in global trade. The longer trade tensions persist, the greater the damage of permanently weakening relationships with key markets—turning the U.S. into a secondary rather than preferred supplier of soybeans,” Adam said. “Strengthening trade must go hand in hand with expanding the use of homegrown energy including strong RVOs volumes and workable guidance for Section 45Z of the clean fuel production credit.”

Rep. Van Orden highlighted concerns about China’s actions: “Congress and the Trump Administration are working to realign global trade in a way that puts American producers first,” he said. “Communist China’s unfair, retaliatory trade practices have caused real harm to U.S. farmers, and it’s time for a new approach that defends our producers, strengthens domestic demand, and ensures we’re never again overly reliant on adversarial markets.”

A copy of Rep. Nunn's letter is available online.