Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins didn’t sugarcoat the situation facing farmers on Tuesday. She noted that the current state of the agriculture market is definitely “not in a good place” as trade issues with China and other countries lead to heavy losses for those in the farming sector.
During her recent chat on Fox Business’s “Making Money with Charles Payne”, Rollins stressed, “Right now, the farm economy is not in a good place. We’re working around the clock.” This clearly indicates the mounting pressures farm operators are facing right now.
There’s an upcoming promise from the president aimed at supporting these farmers, with Rollins hinting at a forthcoming announcement expected next week.
She also mentioned that the past era of farm prosperity, referred to as the “Golden Age,” might not be too far off. However, a stark statistic reveals that China purchased 51% fewer U.S. soybeans through July compared to last year, as reported by The New York Times.
Just last week, Rollins pointed out that the White House has been exploring options for a “farmers aid package” to assist those grappling with financial woes. President Trump mentioned that revenue from tariffs could also be a potential source of support for farmers, especially as concerns from rural Republican constituencies mount.
Making some noise on the topic, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recently criticized the administration’s move to lend financial help to Argentina while they kick up soybean purchases from the South American competitor.
Grassley shared his agitation with a post on X saying, “Farmers are VERY upset about Argentina selling soybeans to China just after the U.S bail out. We’re also facing a 20% retaliatory tariff from China. Farmers need these trade deals NOW to revitalize their markets and the farm economy!”
The senator pressed that farmers should stay top-of-mind during trade negotiations, citing the irony of underwriting a struggling Argentina at the expense of hardworking American soybean growers.
Similarly, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) emphasized the difficulties farmers face when their commodities aren’t welcomed in various markets, especially as they gear up for a dismissal in demand amid a significant corn and soybean harvest. Speaking during his appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, he declared, “In the end, our farmers are likely going to need some fiscal support this year – with revenue availability hinging on tariffs being part of that equation.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, catch up with The Hill.
