River Bend Times

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st district in the U.S. Congress, has sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump calling for stronger trade policies and additional support for Iowa farmers. Miller-Meeks has served in Congress since 2021 and previously served in the Iowa Senate.

“Iowa’s farmers feed the world, and they deserve fair markets and strong enforcement that protect their livelihoods,” Miller-Meeks said. “President Trump has stood up to China’s unfair trade practices and fought to restore American strength on the world stage. I fully support his efforts to secure better deals for American producers, expand markets for agricultural exports, and provide certainty for Iowa’s farmers as they face global challenges beyond their control.”

In her letter, Miller-Meeks thanked the administration for its efforts to defend U.S. agriculture and highlighted the ongoing trade challenges faced by Iowa producers, especially with China. She wrote: “For too long, China has manipulated trade systems, imposed retaliatory tariffs, and leveraged non-tariff barriers to limit access for American agricultural goods. These actions have unfairly targeted Iowa’s corn, soybean, pork, and other commodity producers, creating instability in markets that are vital to our rural economy.”

She continued: “Future trade negotiations—especially with China—must include strong enforcement mechanisms to hold bad actors accountable and level the playing field for American farmers. I also applaud the administration for proposing the use of tariff revenue to provide direct relief to farmers impacted by unfair trade practices. This is a significant step toward mitigating the economic impact of retaliatory actions and bolstering the resilience of American agriculture.”

Miller-Meeks also stressed the need to expand trade markets and support biofuels as part of efforts to strengthen Iowa’s economy. “I urge the USDA to prioritize efforts to expand opportunities for agricultural producers through diversified trade relationships and to finalize robust Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that give certainty and growth potential to the biofuels industry. These actions will reinforce our rural economy and affirm the critical role biofuels play in advancing American energy independence.”

Miller-Meeks, who was born in Herlong, California in 1955 and currently lives in Le Claire, has a background in both healthcare and public service. She earned a BSN from Texas Christian University in 1976.