Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, has issued a sharp warning to the U.S. Trade Representative and the Agriculture Secretary regarding the severe economic damage caused by former President Trump’s trade war.

In his letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Krishnamoorthi cautioned that “the profound damage that President Trump’s trade war is inflicting on Illinois soybean farmers” demands immediate federal action to “minimize the impact of the PRC’s punitive action.”

“President Trump’s capricious and careless moves on trade have given the People’s Republic of China reason to exercise punishing measures on this key part of the U.S. economy,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “This has effectively eliminated the largest export market for U.S. soybean farmers and allowed foreign competitors to supplant U.S. producers.”

Illinois: The Epicenter of the Crisis

Krishnamoorthi underscored that Illinois — the nation’s top soybean-producing state — has been hit hardest. The state’s farmers produce 15 percent of all U.S. soybeans, generating $7 billion in annual economic activity and supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

Yet, he noted with alarm:

“Last year, Illinois exported $1.4 billion of soybeans to China. This year, that number has dropped to zero.”

“This abrupt collapse has dealt a devastating blow to Illinois’ farm economy, threatening livelihoods and the stability of our rural communities,” he said. “The President’s uncoordinated tariffs and the PRC’s punishing retaliation are costing U.S. soybean farmers their largest export market.”

Krishnamoorthi warned that countries like Brazil and Argentina are now stepping in to fill the void, offering China long-term supply agreements that could permanently displace American farmers.

Ignored Warnings and Unheeded Calls for Action

The Illinois Congressman pointed out that he had earlier written to the administration in February and March, urging them to prepare contingency plans and adopt a coordinated trade strategy — warnings that were ignored.

“In February, I urged the Department of Agriculture to develop contingency plans to respond to PRC agricultural retaliation — a request that appears to have gone unheeded,” he wrote. “Instead, this Administration is reportedly preparing a one-time bailout for impacted farmers — an unsustainable and poorly supervised approach.”

Krishnamoorthi’s Three-Point Plan

To address the crisis, Krishnamoorthi urged the Administration to:

1. Expand and diversify export markets by strengthening USDA trade-promotion programs and leveraging U.S. diplomacy to open new channels in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
2. Stabilize farm income through targeted direct support, enhanced crop-insurance tools, and low-interest financing.
3. Reaffirm long-term support for U.S. farmers to ensure they “will not be sacrificed in broader geopolitical maneuvering” and to restore access to the Chinese market.

Pushing for Transparency in the Epstein Investigation

In a separate action this week, Congressman Krishnamoorthi — alongside Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) — sent a formal letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard demanding full disclosure of all intelligence and law enforcement materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their network of associates.

The lawmakers cited “numerous public reports” raising questions about Epstein’s foreign contacts, unexplained wealth, and potential links to intelligence services.
“Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking conspiracy deserve justice and closure,” the letter stated. “The American people deserve a full accounting.”

The request directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to preserve all related materials and provide documents by October 21, 2025.

Balancing National Security with Accountability

Krishnamoorthi emphasized that maintaining America’s credibility abroad requires upholding democratic norms and transparency at home.
“Whether it’s resisting the misuse of troops on our streets or demanding answers about Epstein’s network, our duty is to protect both the Constitution and the American people,” he said.

Disclaimer:

This article is based on official press releases and statements issued by the Office of Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. The IndoUS Tribune has not independently verified all claims or statements contained herein. All quotes and policy positions are attributed directly to Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s office.