In brief
In response to ongoing struggles in the agricultural sector, President Trump has introduced a $12 billion aid package for farmers affected by trade tensions and falling crop prices. Most of the funds will be allocated for one-time payments to assist farmers with row crops, while a portion is reserved for other crops. The announcement aims to provide immediate relief amid concerns over U.S. agricultural exports, especially to China, which has seen significant disruptions due to trade policies. Farmers express cautious optimism, hoping this support will stabilize their operations as the administration navigates complex trade landscapes.
US President Donald Trump has unveiled a $12bn (£9bn) farm aid package aimed at helping farmers impacted by low crop prices and the administration's ongoing trade wars. Most of the money – $11bn – is earmarked for one-time payments to farmers for row crops as part of the agriculture department's Farmer Bridge Assistance programme, with another billion reserved for crops not covered by the programme. While farmers have broadly supported Trump, the agriculture sector has been disrupted by trade disputes during his second term, particularly with China. Also on Monday, Trump threatened to hit Mexico with an additional 5% tariff in a row over water supplies to US farmers. The White House says the aid package will help farmers suffering from 'years of unjustified trade actions' and accumulated inflation. Trump made the announcement during an event at the White House, alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Members of Congress and corn, cotton, sorghum, soybean, rice, cattle, wheat and potato farmers were also in attendance. 'Maximising domestic farm production is a big part of how we will make America affordable again and bring down grocery prices,' Trump said. Sorghum and soybean farmers have been hit hard by the Trump administration's trade dispute with China, the greatest importer of their crops. According to a White House official, the payments are intended to help farmers market this year's harvest and plan for next year's crops, as well as act as a bridge until the administration's policies 'deliver a better market environment'. Trump's announcement comes as polls suggest Americans are increasingly concerned about rising costs - an issue that he has at times characterised as a 'hoax' propagated by Democrats. It also followed complaints from U.S. farmers after they lost access to customers in China due to Trump's trade policies.
