Credited from: LATIMES
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a $12 billion aid package for American farmers impacted by his trade policies during a White House event Monday. A White House official indicated that approximately $11 billion will be allocated for one-time payments to farmers under the Department of Agriculture's Farmer Bridge Assistance program, helping to alleviate the financial strain caused by ongoing trade disputes, particularly with China, which has severely affected U.S. soybean exports. This announcement is part of a broader response to farmers' challenges amid rising costs and lost sales due to tariffs, according to Reuters and The Hill.
The aid package will be revealed alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. An official statement highlighted the need for this support, citing that farmers have lost billions in soybean sales as China redirected purchases to South American suppliers. This financial injection aims to help farmers navigate current market challenges and plan for upcoming planting seasons, as noted by BBC and CBS News.
The Trump administration's commitment to farmers is underlined by the acknowledgment of significant losses due to trade tensions, particularly for soybean and sorghum growers, whose exports are heavily reliant on the Chinese market. In 2019 and 2020, previous aid packages totaling over $68 billion were issued to offset similar challenges. This new proposal is set against a backdrop of ongoing discussions with China about trade agreements aiming to restore soybean purchases, current numbers of which remain below expectations, reflecting a need for immediate financial relief, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.