The United States government announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers significantly affected by the country's trade tariffs. The anticipated package is primarily broken down into $11 billion to be distributed as a one-time payment to farmers through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the Argentine News Agency, the remaining balance will be allocated to farmers not covered by the FBA program. The package's implementation had been delayed due to a 43-day government shutdown that began on October 1. During a roundtable at the White House, President Donald Trump highlighted the difficulties facing the nation's farmers, mentioning rising inflation, bankruptcies, and an increasing suicide rate. "Trump's tariffs are hitting our farmers, making it more expensive to grow food and pushing farmers into bankruptcy," the statement read. The president attributed these adversities to the policies of the previous administration. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins indicated that the USDA is expected to announce the payment rates for December penalties and that the fund distribution will begin in February 2026. Additionally, Trump announced that his administration will remove environmental protection requirements imposed on U.S. agricultural equipment manufacturers to reduce costs. The measure was met with strong criticism from the opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X: "Trump wants to be given credit for a mess that he generated. Farmers need to sell, not a consolation prize for those he's affected." Context of the agricultural sector American farmers are facing a complex landscape with weakened foreign demand, higher input and fertilizer costs, and a downward trend in selling prices. These factors complicate the sector's financial situation, forcing it to deal with the consequences of U.S. trade tariffs.
