America’s farmers could quickly obtain a long-awaited support package deal to assist them handle the storm of rising enter prices and falling commodity costs.
Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins mentioned there could be an announcement “probably in the next week or two” on farmer support, whereas offering no specifics on what this may appear like.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture advised Newsweek it “will continue to assess the farm economy and explore the need for further assistance,” however mentioned it could present no additional info relating to the timing or degree of help deliberate for farmers.
Why It Matters
Farmers have been under particular strain in 2025, with tariffs elevating prices and retaliatory actions closing off a few of their key export markets. U.S. soybean croppers misplaced out on billions in gross sales earlier this 12 months when China abruptly halted its American orders, and the nation’s cattle ranchers have warned that plans to import international beef to convey down home costs will weaken their earnings at dwelling.
What To Know
The administration has come beneath intense strain to again America’s farmers and agricultural communities, the vast majority of whom supported President Donald Trump within the 2024 election.
In September, the president vowed to make use of a portion of the revenues from tariffs to pay farmers whom he mentioned have been “for a little while, going to be hurt until the tariffs kick in to their benefit.” Rollins advised British newspaper the Financial Times that month that an support package deal to assist farmers offset rising prices could be introduced “soon,” and that financing this with tariffs was “absolutely a potential.”
In late October, Politico, citing nameless sources conversant in the plans, reported that the administration was taking a look at an preliminary fee of as much as $12 billion for farmers who had suffered on account of its tariff insurance policies, akin to the financial aid granted in 2019 to these impacted by his first-term trade war with China.
This adopted a gathering between Trump and Chinese premier Xi Jinping, at which one other momentary commerce truce was struck. Among different agreements reached on the assembly in South Korea, the White House mentioned China had agreed to end its de-facto embargo on U.S. soybeans and import 12 million metric tons by January.
Rollins offered few specifics on what sort of support package deal farmers could count on within the coming weeks, past stating that it goals to “mitigate” the results of ongoing commerce negotiations.
In September, Rollins mentioned she was working with members of Congress to determine how a lot direct help could be required, Reuters reported. Republican lawmakers later advised the outlet that the quantity would possible exceed the whole $23 billion in funds issued throughout Trump’s first time period.
What People Are Saying
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins advised CNBC on Tuesday: “The president always said he would take care of the farmers. They have been with him since he came down the escalator just a few blocks from here in 2015, and began this next chapter. So yes, we are looking at the aid right now. We have always said it is to solve for—to mitigate—anything under these new trade negotiations. Every day that changes, and that’s what we’re working on. So we’ll have an announcement probably in the next week or two on what that’s going to look like.”
A USDA spokesperson advised Newsweek: “President Trump is the most pro-farmer President of our lifetime, and through his leadership, the administration is supporting farmers through unprecedented international market access, lowered taxes, and improvements to the farm safety net in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Currently, the farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to continue their farming operations.”
Republican Representative Rick Crawford of Arkansas advised Reuters in September: “I think farmers can probably wait [for aid] till October. But I think what they need, and what the bankers need, as much as anything, is a strong signal that the money will be there. And if it’s not, we’re going to see a lot of financial calamity in rural America.”
What Happens Next
China has begun importing U.S. soybeans after a months-long pause, although USDA data show that it remains behind on what the administration mentioned it had dedicated to buy. Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, just lately advised WNKY he had “cautious optimism” about China fulfilling its import pledge.
“We’ve already started shipping soybeans their way, almost a million and a half metric tons,” Rollins mentioned on Tuesday. “We have every indication they will continue to buy soybeans.”
Following a name with Xi, Trump on Tuesday mentioned China was open to “buying our farm products,” with out offering many particulars.
“I asked him, ‘I’d like you to buy it a little faster. I’d like you to buy more.’ And he’s more or less agreed to do that,” Trump advised reporters. “I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the actions of President Xi.”
Update 11/26/25 9:21 a.m. ET: This article was up to date with a response from USDA.