White House announces $12B farm aid; payments due by late February as farmers seek more relief
At a White House roundtable with President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the administration announced a $12 billion one‑time farm aid package — funded through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation — that allocates roughly $11 billion via a new Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for row‑crop growers and about $1 billion for farmers whose crops don’t qualify, with payments expected to reach farmers’ bank accounts in late February. The aid is framed as relief tied to tariff revenue amid a China trade reset that includes pledged soybean purchases (about 12 million metric tons by end of February and 25 million annually thereafter), but farm groups say the assistance is only a first step and more relief is needed.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The White House announced $12 billion in one-time farm aid at a Monday roundtable with President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers; growers invited included corn, cotton, sorghum, soybean, rice, cattle, wheat and potato producers.
- The package is roughly split as about $11 billion through a USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for row‑crop farmers and roughly $1 billion for farmers whose crops do not qualify; the aid will be funded through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
- The administration says aid payments should reach farmers’ bank accounts in late February.
- The White House frames the payments as 'bridge' relief enabled by tariff revenue — Trump said the funding 'would not be possible without the tariffs,' and spokesman Kush Desai said tariffs are 'leveling the playing field' as part of a reshoring strategy.
- Trade context: following a Trump‑Xi meeting and an administration November deal, China is reported to be on track to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of February and 25 million metric tons annually over the next three years; recent purchases cited include about 840,000 metric tons for Dec.–Jan. and roughly 2.8 million metric tons since late October.
- Treasury Secretary Bessent and administration officials argued bridge payments are needed — Bessent said Chinese negotiators 'used our soybean farmers as pawns' — while farm groups gave mixed reactions (Missouri Farm Bureau called it an important first step; South Dakota Farmers Union said it’s insufficient), soybean growers voiced a 'trade, not aid' sentiment and economists warned elevated tariff rates on key inputs have left producers in a precarious financial position with unsold crops in storage.
- Background and scale: prior emergency farm aid programs were larger — totaling over $22 billion in 2019 and nearly $46 billion in 2020 (including COVID‑era assistance) — and the administration has said some U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were reduced (reported as from ~57% to ~47%) tied to cooperation on issues like fentanyl.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In 2022, among hired farmworkers (laborers, graders, and sorters) in the US, 31% were White (not Hispanic), 3% were Black (not Hispanic), 55% were Hispanic of Mexican origin, 8% were Hispanic of other origins, and 4% were other non-Hispanic.
Farm Labor | Economic Research Service — USDA Economic Research Service
In 2022, non-Hispanic White farm operations had a 26% government payment receipt rate with an average of $16,417, compared to 13% for Hispanic farms (average $17,637) and lower averages for non-Hispanic Black farms ($7,774), with socially disadvantaged farms less likely to receive payments overall (10-18%).
Understanding Farm Diversity: Insights From the Agricultural Resource Management Survey — USDA Economic Research Service
US farm bankruptcies increased to 181 in the first half of 2025, compared to 216 for the entire year of 2024, amid trade wars, low crop prices, and rising costs.
U.S. Farmers' Struggles Run Deeper Than Tariffs — U.S. News & World Report
From January to October 2025, Brazil exported 79 million metric tons of soybeans to China, accounting for nearly 80% of Brazil's total soybean exports.
U.S.–China Soybean Deal: Comparing Past Export Levels and Global Market Impacts — farmdoc daily
đź“° Sources (6)
- White House says aid payments should reach farmers' bank accounts in late February.
- Farm groups’ reactions: Missouri Farm Bureau calls payments an important first step; South Dakota Farmers Union criticizes aid as insufficient given tariff-driven costs.
- "Trade, not aid" sentiment from soybean growers; on‑the‑ground reporting of unsold soybeans stored due to lost China sales.
- Administration’s November China deal specifics: China to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by end of February and 25 million metric tons over the next three years.
- Trump publicly framed the farm‑aid funding as enabled by tariff revenue, saying: 'This money would not be possible without the tariffs.'
- White House spokesman Kush Desai said tariffs are 'leveling the playing field' and the administration is pursuing a 'nimble, nuanced, and multi‑faceted' reshoring approach.
- Axios reports the aid was announced at a Monday farmer roundtable (prior coverage previewed the unveiling).
- American Soybean Association economists warned last week that elevated tariff rates on key inputs are a significant cost factor, describing a 'precarious' financial situation.
- Context added: consumer sentiment hit a 74‑year low per University of Michigan; ISM shows new orders down for a third straight month, with some manufacturers cutting staff or moving production offshore due to tariffs.
- NPR reports the $12 billion will be funded through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
- Includes an on-the-record quote from White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly framing the aid and policy context.
- Confirms the announcement timing and participants at a White House roundtable (President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins).
- Announcement timing and format: White House roundtable at 2 p.m. EST with Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers, and farmers.
- Participant/crop detail: growers from corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, cattle, wheat, and potatoes invited.
- China purchase status: about 2.8 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans purchased since late October; officials cite a pledge of at least 12 million metric tons by year-end and 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years.
- Bessent quote on rationale: said on Face the Nation that bridge payments are needed and that Chinese negotiators 'used our soybean farmers as pawns.'
- Historical context: prior farm aid totaled over $22B in 2019 and nearly $46B in 2020 (including COVID aid).
- Breakdown clarified: ~$11B through the USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for one-time payments to row-crop farmers and an additional $1B for farmers whose crops do not qualify.
- Event specifics: Trump to announce at a Monday White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
- Trade context: Following an October Trump–Xi meeting, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports reduced from 57% to 47% tied to fentanyl cooperation.
- China purchases: Reuters reported at least 840,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans bought for Dec.–Jan. delivery, the largest since at least January.
- Bessent statement: China is on track to buy 12 million tons of soybeans by end of February 2026 and to keep 'every part of the deal.'