Trump Unveils $12 Billion Aid Package to Support U.S. Farmers Hit by Tariff Fallout

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a $12 billion bailout package aimed at supporting U.S. farmers who have absorbed the brunt of global market disruptions and retaliatory tariffs stemming from the administration’s ongoing trade war with China.

The president announced the plan during a White House roundtable with Cabinet officials, congressional leaders, and farmers representing a broad range of agricultural sectors, including corn, soybean, rice, wheat, cattle, cotton, sorghum, and potatoes.

“We will be taking a small portion of the hundreds of billions of dollars we receive in tariffs … and we’re going to use that money to provide $12 billion in economic assistance to American farmers,” Trump said. “They’re the backbone of our country.”

Breakdown of the Aid Package

According to administration officials, up to $11 billion of the assistance will fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which will offer one-time bridge payments to row-crop farmers facing financial strain from foreign trade actions, inflation, and market instability.

The remaining $1 billion will support crops not covered under the program, with final allocations determined by the USDA based on market conditions.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the package reflects Trump’s commitment to strengthening the farm safety net while new trade deals take effect. “Today’s announcement reflects the President’s commitment to helping our farmers … bridge the gap between Biden’s failures and the President’s successful policies taking effect,” she said.

Impact of U.S.–China Trade War

American farmers have faced steep challenges since China began reducing U.S. soybean purchases amid tariffs and counter-tariffs. Beijing instead shifted imports to other markets, including Argentina, putting significant pressure on U.S. producers.

However, following October talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea—where Trump agreed to reduce Chinese import tariffs from 57% to 47% in exchange for cooperation on the fentanyl crisis—China has resumed large soybean purchases.
Recent shipments totaling at least 840,000 metric tons marked the largest since early this year.

“I spoke with President Xi very recently … and I think he’s going to do even more than he promised,” Trump said Monday, suggesting China may exceed its commitment to purchase 12 million tons of soybeans by February 2026.

Farmers Speak Out

During the roundtable, Louisiana rice agribusiness owner Meryl Kennedy highlighted longstanding concerns over foreign competitors dumping cheap rice in U.S. markets such as Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico used to be one of the largest markets for U.S. rice. We haven’t shipped rice into Puerto Rico in years,” Kennedy said, pointing to India, Thailand, and China as key offenders.

New Push Against Anti-Competitive Practices

Monday’s announcement followed Trump’s signing of an executive order creating task forces within the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate anti-competitive behavior in the U.S. food supply chain.

The president said sectors such as seed, fertilizer, equipment, and meat processing have become vulnerable to price-fixing—sometimes by foreign-controlled entities—posing both economic and national security risks.

“My administration will act to determine whether anti-competitive behavior … increases the cost of living for Americans and address any associated national security threat,” Trump wrote.

Legal and Political Backdrop

Critics argue that Trump’s tariffs have contributed to higher grocery prices. Last month, the Supreme Court heard a challenge to Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs.

Trump responded that he has “other methods” to levy tariffs if the court restricts his authority.

A Bridge to Stability

White House officials say the aid is designed to give farmers financial certainty as they bring this year’s harvest to market and plan next year’s planting, functioning as a stabilizing extension of Trump’s economic agenda of deregulation, tax cuts, and expanded trade opportunities.

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