Trump administration prepares $12 billion aid package for farmers hurt by Trump's tariffs

American farmer.
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Department of Agriculture will provide $12 billion in emergency aid to farmers who have been negatively affected by President Trump's escalating trade war, two sources told The Washington Post.

The plan comes as retaliatory tariffs from China and other countries have slashed profits for farmers who grow soybeans, rice, beef, pork, and other products. Farm groups have criticized Trump for implementing tariffs, saying the fallout could cost them billions of dollars.

The Agriculture Department plans to provide the short-term relief by Labor Day, funding the bailout with direct assistance, trade promotion, and a food purchase and distribution program. The strategy was used during the Great Depression and does not require approval from Congress.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The Trump administration has been looking for a solution to agricultural woes that doesn't involve blinking first in the trade war with China, the Post reports, but a taxpayer-funded bailout could launch a new wave of complaints. Despite the criticism, Trump has continued to tout his tariffs, tweeting on Tuesday that they are the "greatest." Read more at The Washington Post.

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.