Nunn Calls on Administration to Deliver Certainty for Iowa Soybean Producers

DES MOINES, IA - Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging swift, coordinated action to restore access to foreign soybean markets and strengthen domestic demand amid a worsening trade standoff with China. Joining Rep. Nunn on the letter were Senator Joni Ernst (IA) and Representative Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).

"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 highlights the significant strain Iowa farmers face as China - historically the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans - has halted purchases and turned to global competitors. This shift has undercut prices, disrupted biofuel and livestock supply chains, and left Iowa producers without clear guidance on where markets are heading in the short and long term.

In the letter, Rep. Nunn calls for immediate steps to:

• Prioritize U.S. soybean access in trade talks with China
• Suspend or remove retaliatory tariffs
• Finalize and implement domestic fuel policies like 45Z clean fuel credits and nationwide, year-round E15 availability
• Expand alternative export markets for soybeans and soybean meal
• Improve communication with producers on policy and trade updates

"Thank you to the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, and the National Oilseed Processors Association for sharing your concerns," continued Rep. Nunn . "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."

"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," said Devin Mogler, National Oilseed Processors Association President and CEO . "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."

"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," said Tom Adam, Iowa Soybean Association President and Farmer . "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."

"Congress and the Trump Administration are working to realign global trade in a way that puts American producers first," said Rep. Van Orden . "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 full copy of the letter can be found here .

###