Trump unveils $12B relief plan for farmers during White House roundtable

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package to US farmers, a major relief effort unveiled during a White House roundtable on Monday, December 8.

The package, aimed at supporting American farmers facing financial strain, comes as farmers continue to face higher costs and lingering effects from recent trade disruptions, including reduced access to key export markets.

The announcement included up to $11 billion in one-time payments under a newly created Agriculture Department program. Trump and his advisers said that the assistance was intended to provide stability as farmers headed into a new growing season. 

White House introduces new program for row crop farmers 

Trump said that the package would be funded by what he described as "hundreds of billions of dollars" in tariff revenue collected by the United States this year.

"This relief will provide much-needed certainty to farmers as they get this year's harvest to market and look ahead to next year's crop," Trump said, adding that the program aimed to ease affordability concerns and support producers who have faced higher input costs. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins detailed the distribution timeline, saying that the Agriculture Department would administer up to $11 billion in one-time payments. 

"As the president said, we are very pleased to announce that today we are going to be effectuating an $11 billion trade by not trade, but bridge payment to our farmers," Rollins said.

"The money will move by February 28, 2026, but by the end of this month, so just in the next couple of weeks, every farmer that is able to apply for it will know exactly what that number looks like," she added.

Scott Bessent credits Trump for farm trade breakthrough

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said recent discussions with China led to expanded access for US farm exports.

Bessent told the roundtable that Trump "scored a massive victory for America's farmers" when Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to reopen markets for agricultural goods, including "soybeans, sorghum and other commodities."

He said, "China committed to purchase at least, at least 12 million metric tons of US soybeans this growing season, followed by a minimum of 25 million tons annually for the next three years."

Farm economy faces rising costs and market shifts

The agricultural sector continues to face pressure from record harvests and decreased export demand, particularly after China shifted its soybean purchases to South American suppliers during stalled trade negotiations this fall.

According to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri, net farm income could decline by more than $30 billion in 2026, driven by lower crop prices and reduced government payments. 

Trump said the commitment followed a direct conversation with Xi, saying, "I told him our soybeans are more nutritious than competitors."

Trump also added that Japan had agreed to buy $8 billion worth of corn, soybeans, ethanol fertilizer, aviation, biofuel and rice, under a separate trade agreement. 

During his first term, Trump reportedly approved approximately $23 billion in assistance to farmers affected by trade-related disruptions.