Following the pressure exerted by the National Farmers Union with President Roy Larew at the helm, the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, has announced an economic aid package for farmers. This announcement was made last week during a Cabinet meeting, in which Rollins stated that President Trump has opened foreign markets so that farmers do not have to rely on government aid.
She also referred to the agreement that the United States made with China regarding soybean exports over the next three years. Additionally, as of November 17, the Trump administration also announced the intention to provide more than $16 billion in Supplemental Disaster Assistance Program funds to farmers, along with over $9.3 billion in aid from another emergency initiative.
Agricultural crisis
On December 2, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced the presentation of a relief package for farmers. “We have a bridge payment that we will announce with you next week,” said the secretary, without specifying the amount of the payment. In an appearance on NewsNation last November, Rollins said that the farming community has been going through difficult times and that President Trump has reopened foreign markets with the aim of ensuring that farmers do not rely solely on government aid. “There is no doubt that the agricultural economy, for many reasons, is experiencing a really tough situation at the moment,” she said.
Agreement between China and the United States
During negotiations or tariffs with the United States, China stopped buying soybeans from the United States, which severely affected the agricultural sector. After reaching an agreement, the two countries agreed that China would purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans from the United States before the end of 2025, and committed to exporting at least 25,000,000 metric tons per year over the next three years. According to Rollins, this agreement should have brought relief to the agricultural sector.
Pressure from the National Farmers Union
On October 14, the National Farmers Union, led by its president Rob Larew, sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding economic assistance for farmers. “Farmers and ranching families are facing serious economic challenges and an increasingly deepening crisis if they do not receive immediate assistance. Recently enacted trade policies and the resulting measures from other countries have wreaked havoc on our markets, driving commodity prices far below production costs.” In addition to requesting that payments be granted to family farms rather than large agricultural entities, Larew also wrote, “resources should be devoted to developing new high-value domestic markets for U.S. crops and to improving existing markets, including local and regional markets.”
Government response
On November 17, the Trump administration announced its intention to provide more than $16 billion in funding from the Supplemental Disaster Assistance Program to farmers, along with over $9.3 billion in assistance from another emergency initiative. According to Rollins, “President Trump continues to prioritize farmers and provide relief to American farmers recovering from the devastating natural disasters that struck the United States in 2023 and 2024. The ongoing financial success of our agricultural and livestock operations is a national security priority.
She added, “The USDA is doing everything possible to fulfill President Trump’s promise to expedite disaster recovery assistance to American farmers and ranchers, thereby ensuring the viability, prosperity, and longevity of these men and women who dedicate their lives to producing our nation’s food, fiber, and fuels. Most of the first-phase payments are already in the hands of producers, helping them prepare for and invest in the upcoming farming season”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What does the agreement with China consist of?
China would purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans from the United States before the end of 2025, and committed to exporting at least 25,000,000 metric tons per year over the next three years.
Who is affected by the crisis?
Mainly family farms, represented by the National Farmers Union.