The Trump administration is considering using tariff revenues to fund emergency financial aid for U.S. farmers as falling export sales and rising input costs strain the agricultural economy, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told The Financial Times.
Rollins said the USDA is “reviewing markets every day” and that a relief package announcement could be coming soon. She confirmed that tariff income flowing into the U.S. is being looked at as a potential funding source for the aid program.
The comments come as farm groups warn of deepening financial pressure from weaker export demand — particularly after China curbed purchases of U.S. soybeans — combined with higher costs for fertilizer, machinery, and other inputs due to tariffs.
Congressional Debate Over Funding
While some lawmakers, including House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), initially pushed to use tariff revenue for farm aid, Thompson later admitted legal barriers might prevent that approach.
Instead, the USDA might have to rely on the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which funded the Trump administration’s 2018–2019 trade war payments. However, Thompson warned the CCC account is currently depleted and would need replenishment from Congress.
Growing Calls for Relief
According to Reuters, several Republican lawmakers from farm states are pressing the administration to provide emergency aid by year’s end.
Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), who oversees agriculture funding, suggested a program modeled after the $23 billion in farm payments distributed during the first Trump administration could be tied to a year-end spending bill.
Farmers Fear Economic Crisis
A recent National Corn Growers Association poll found nearly half of U.S. corn farmers believe the country is on the brink of a farm crisis, with another third saying the economy could be heading that way.
Overall, 76% of respondents reported being “very” or “moderately” concerned about the farm economy, with most saying their concerns have grown over the past year.
“It’s a four-alarm fire in the countryside,” NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. said. “Farmers are in a lot of economic pain right now.”
