The U.S. seed industry is raising red flags following news of additional tariffs imposed between the United States and its global trading partners.
Leaders across the agricultural supply chain are warning that continued trade disruptions will have a direct and damaging impact on seed research, development, and delivery — and ultimately, on farmers and consumers.
“ … tariff announcements are highly concerning to the U.S. seed sector,” American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) president and CEO Andy LaVigne said in a statement on ASTA’s website. “International trade plays an integral and necessary part of delivering innovative seeds to U.S. farmers. The continued escalation of tariffs with our trading partners is expected to significantly increase costs associated with seed production – costs that U.S. farmers and consumers will unfortunately shoulder. Like many of our partners across the agricultural sector, our seed sector relies on a stable and predictable economic landscape.”
For the seed industry, access to global markets isn’t just about selling products abroad — it’s about enabling the critical exchange of materials and data that power breeding and production programs. Much of the seed pipeline depends on the ability to move seed across borders for testing, multiplication, and improvement.
“The ability to move seed internationally is a fundamental component of the years-long research and development (R&D) pipelines that allow U.S. farmers to have access to the best seeds and agricultural innovations in the world,” his statement read. “Plant breeders rely on trade to expedite crop improvement, test-drive new crop varieties in specific environments, and conduct critical functions to increase volumes of seed in a clean and efficient way – all before those seeds can be sold to farmers. Many aspects of this seed research, development, and production cannot be relocated.”
LaVigne urged policymakers to find common ground quickly.
“We continue to encourage the Trump Administration to quickly come to a resolution with our trading partners that benefits both our national security and our food security,” he added. “The news of additional tariffs, as well as expected retaliatory actions, introduces significant uncertainty that will negatively impact those who help grow the food, feed, fiber, and fuel for millions of American families,” continued LaVigne.
As trade tensions rise, the seed industry watches closely, hoping for a return to stability that will allow innovation — and agriculture — to thrive.
