Trump’s $12bn aid package: Are tariffs bleeding US farmers?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Alex Kozul-WrightDecember 10, 2025 at 04:52 PM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for US farmers impacted by falling crop prices and trade policies. The "Farmer Bridge Assistance" program, overseen by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, aims to assist farmers growing crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton, with an additional $1 billion allocated for specialty crops. The aid, funded by tariff revenues, is intended to offset the impact of retaliatory tariffs, such as China's reduced soybean purchases, and rising agricultural costs. The USDA will calculate payments based on production costs, capped at $155,000 per farm, with eligibility limited to farms earning less than $900,000 annually. Applications will open in the coming weeks, with funds expected to be distributed starting February 28.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

China 70% Brooke Rollins 80% United States ×290% Donald Trump ×4100%

Keywords

us farmers 100% tariffs 90% aid package 80% trade policies 70% crop prices 60% soya beans 50% us department of agriculture 50% economic record 40% food costs 40%