April 7, 2025policy changeagricultural policytrade policyrural economicsagriculturetrade policygovernment spending

USDA Cuts Commodity Support as Retaliatory Tariffs Hit Farm Exports

The USDA announced reductions to commodity price support programs in April 2025 as Chinese retaliatory tariffs cut deeply into US agricultural export revenues. The cuts came as US farm exports to China were already declining sharply and farm equipment auctions and bankruptcy filings were rising in Midwest states. Unlike Trump's first term, the administration did not announce a large-scale bailout to offset tariff-related farm losses.

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Tariff escalations trigger another decline in US farm exports to China Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Agriculture and USDA's Responses: Frequently Asked Questions