When President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs in April 2025 on many of U.S. Soy’s trading partners, media outlets sought the nonpartisan Minnesota Soybean Growers Association for reaction to the turmoil.  

Sure, MSGA President Darin Johnson would prefer if news groups called to instead discuss positive industry news – value-added uses for soy, the potential of sustainable aviation fuel or the conservation practices farmers employ on their operations, for example. But he’s seeing the media attention as a sign that MSGA is recognized as a leading voice for soybean producers. Over 60-plus years of advocacy, MSGA has built a reputation as a reliable source that journalists, and legislators, can seek out for timely information on the soybean industry.

“We’re trying to protect our members, our industry, our livelihoods,” said Johnson, a fourth-generation farmer. “And being out in the media is a way to educate and inform the public on how agriculture affects all of us, not just the 1-2% of us who are active in production agriculture.”  

Johnson certainly did his part in the lead up to planting his 2025 crop. To begin April, he visited with multiple Twin Cities TV stations, welcomed France’s largest TV network, hosted a Star Tribune reporter and invited Sen. Amy Klobuchar to his operation. His message was consistent: Soybeans are Minnesota’s No. 1 ag export, valued at over $2 billion each year. Damaging trade relationships, most notably China, jeopardizes the farm economy, creating a ripple effect across greater Minnesota. Johnson also emphasized how trade wars increase input costs while touching on how domestic demand can be boosted.

“We understand that there can be improvements made to our current trade agreements, but farmers always seem to be collateral damage in trade wars,” Johnson told Sen. Klobuchar. “We also see an opportunity with the administration by promoting biofuels.”  

Sen. Klobuchar, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee, said she heard concerns from farmers across Minnesota during Congress’ April recess.

“How many more things can you handle?” she said as Johnson gave a tour of his farm shop. “Input costs, weather, poultry, animal diseases, no Farm Bill, tariffs – farmers are dealing with a lot right now.”

Telling our story 

Jeffrey Sorenson, one of six Minnesotans on the American Soybean Association, had never before hosted a news organization on his farm. A second U.S. trade war with China led Japan’s TV Asahi, one of the country’s largest TV networks, to request a visit to a Minnesota farm. Sorenson fit the bill: A knowledgeable family farmer who lives under two hours from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Within 20 hours of speaking with an Asahi producer, Sorenson, prepping for spring planting, was hosting a film crew on a Saturday afternoon. 

Despite some language barriers, Sorenson said the Japanese interview offered a unique opportunity to underscore the importance of preserving trade relationships amid a turbulent farm economy.  

“It was a really good experience,” Sorenson said. “I’m glad we’re getting a chance to tell our side of the story.”  

MSGA Vice President Ryan Mackenthun and Director Bob Worth were also active in sharing policy priorities during interviews with ABC News and the BBC.  

MSGA and the American Soybean Association were relieved when the president announced a 90-day tariff pause to allow for trade negotiations with dozens of countries. However, at press time, the president kept a universal 10% tariff in place, and both the U.S. and China raised their tariffs to 125% and $145.  

Johnson is optimistic that a “Phase Two” deal can be reached sooner rather than later. The longer the uncertainty prevails during the growing season, the more China is likely to turn to South America to meet its demand for soy. Meanwhile, MSGA continues to sing from the same hymnal.  

“We are encouraging a de-escalation and want to keep our trade relationships intact,” Johnson said. “We have to work in good faith and negotiate and stay proactive in delivering our message.”