If ‘America First’ means anything, stop taxing the tools that feed us

Published July 29, 2026 10:00am ET



Putting America first and safeguarding national security begins with equipping farmers with the tools they need to keep food on tables. ATVs allow farmers to cover large fields, check crops and irrigation, transport tools and supplies, and herd livestock across uneven pastures. Yet, these vital working vehicles have been unintentionally caught in Section 232 steel tariffs that are adding thousands of dollars to their cost and risk putting them beyond the reach of farmers already facing mounting financial headwinds.

Farmers across the country are feeling squeezed. In fact, 60% of America’s producers report increased financial pressure as the cost of fuel, fertilizer, labor, equipment, and other essentials continues to rise. For those of us who rely on working vehicles every day, these tariffs are not abstract policy. They are an added cost that deepens the strain on the farm economy and ultimately weakens America’s food security.

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