Scope

This issue tracker highlights actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration during the first 100 days following his January 20, 2025, inauguration that may affect agricultural and/or policy. The goal is to provide an overview of relevant legislation, executive orders, presidential memoranda, and regulatory actions from January 20 to April 30, 2025. Descriptions are not intended to be comprehensive and may simply reference a small portion of a particular item or action, focusing on agriculture and food. Related litigation is not included, although it may certainly reflect or impact agricultural and/or food policy.

Legislation

Presidential Actions

Executive Orders

According to a chart from the USDA Economic Research Service, Canada and Mexico are among the United States’ largest suppliers of agricultural products.

2.1.25 – President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14194, titled “Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border,” which was published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2025. This Executive Order imposes a 25% tariff on all products imported from Mexico, effective 12:01 am ET on February 4, 2025.

  • President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14198, titled “Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border,” which was published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2025. This order delays the implementation of the tariff rates, pushing their effective date to March 4, 2025, at 12:01 am ET.

2.1.25 – President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14193, titled “Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border,” which was published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2025. This executive order imposes a 25% tariff on Canadian imported goods, effective at 12:01 am ET on February 4, 2025.

  • President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14197, titled “Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border,” which was published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2025. This order delays the implementation of the tariff rates, pushing their effective date to March 4, 2025, at 12:01 am ET.

1.20.25 – President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14156, titled “Declaring a National Energy Emergency,” which was published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2025. This Executive Order states that the EPA Administrator, with the Secretary of Energy’s approval, may issue emergency waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline to address supply shortages.

Presidential Memoranda

1.20.25 – President Donald Trump issued the “America First Trade Policy” memorandum, outlining a trade strategy that prioritizes American economic and national security interests. It directs federal agencies to investigate trade deficits, unfair foreign practices, and currency manipulation, and review existing trade agreements, including the USMCA and Economic and Trade Agreement between the United States and China. Agencies must submit their reports by April 2025 with recommendations to improve U.S. trade policies and industrial competitiveness.

1.20.25 – President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” requiring all new rules to be reviewed and approved by a department or agency head appointed after January 20, 2025. Pending rules must be withdrawn for review, and their effective dates can be postponed for 60 days. After review, rules with no major issues will move forward while those with significant concerns will require additional evaluation and action.

1.20.25 – President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis.” The memorandum requires all executive departments and agencies to evaluate measures within their authority to provide price relief to Americans, including eliminating climate policies and regulations that drive up food and fuel prices. It requires the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy to submit a report to the President every 30 days on the program of the EO’s implementation.

Regulatory Actions by Agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

2.10.25 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule in the Federal Register, delaying the effective date of its previously issued final rule, titled “National Organic Program; Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food,” until March 21, 2025. This delay follows the January 20, 2025, Presidential Memorandum, “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” giving Department officials more time to review and consider the new regulations. The rule was initially scheduled to become effective on February 21, 2025.

2.3.25 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an updated import alert announcing it is resuming cattle and bison imports from Mexico, which had been suspended in November 2024 due to a New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak. Under the updated protocol, all cattle and bison must go through health screenings at designated inspection sites in Mexico before being approved for entry at border crossings in New Mexico and Arizona. However, the import of cattle germplasm, swine, and other specific animal products from Mexico remains banned. Dogs can be imported with a health certificate confirming screwworm inspection and treatment. Horses must follow a treatment and quarantine protocols unless they have spent at least 7 days in a screwworm-free country after leaving Mexico and before entering the United States.    

1.29.25 – The USDA Rural Housing Service (RHS) delayed the implementation of the final rule, “Multifamily Housing Program Update to the Credit Report Process,” published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2024. The rule, initially set to become effective on January 30, 2025, has been postponed until March 31, 2025.

1.28.25 – The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) delayed the implementation of the final rule, “Horse Protection Amendments,” published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2024. The rule, initially set to become effective on February 1, 2025, has been postponed until April 2, 2025.  

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

2.12.25 – The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a decision concluding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recording practices for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not comply with applicable statutes. The GAO identified two instances of improper recording by the USDA: (1) before September 19, 2023, USDA recorded daily obligations for SNAP based on the amount of benefits issued to households, and (2) after September 19, 2023, USDA “obligated” its FY 2023 one-year appropriation to cover SNAP benefits for FY 2024 that would be given to households in October 2023. According to GAO, SNAP funds should be recorded when they are approved and available for obligation, not when the USDA processes benefit payments. The recorded amount should reflect USDA’s best estimate of benefits owed for FY 2023, rather than the daily issued amounts or benefits for FY 2024. The GAO recommended that the USDA adjust its accounts and charge FY 2024 benefits to the appropriate FY 2024 funds since FY 2023 funds were not meant for them. If there is not enough funding, USDA must report a violation under the Antideficiency Act.