Across the United States, farmers are warning that they’re at risk of going bankrupt. They say Donald Trump’s new tariffs and major cuts to federal farm programs are hurting them badly—and without another big bailout, many won’t survive.
From Texas to the Midwest, farmers have already lost millions of dollars due to extreme weather, such as flooding and heavy rain. They’re also dealing with the effects of a trade war and losing support from programs that once helped them stay afloat.
A Tough Year for Farmers
Travis Johnson, a farmer in southern Texas, lost over 1,000 acres of cotton, corn, and sorghum after just two days of nonstop rain. “I hate being used as a bargaining chip,” he said. “We’ve had two years of disaster. Without help, this could ruin a lot of us.”
In Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, farmers usually sell crops like corn, wheat, and vegetables to Mexico. But now, they’re facing steep taxes and trade barriers because of Trump’s tariffs. These tariffs have made it harder to sell goods to countries like China and Mexico, which are top buyers of U.S. crops.
China used to buy a lot of sorghum and cotton from the U.S., but Trump’s trade policies have put a 125% tax on these goods. That’s cutting American farmers off from important international markets.
Rural Areas Backed Trump—But Now Feel the Impact
In the 2024 election, Trump received strong support from rural areas, winning nearly 78% of the vote in farming regions. But even some of his supporters are now expressing concern.
Farmers say they’re tired of being caught in the middle of trade wars. They plant their crops early in the year and can’t easily switch crops once the season starts. So when tariffs are suddenly added, they suffer heavy losses.
Ben Lilliston, a farming expert, explained: “Tariffs are not magical tools. They need to be part of a bigger economic plan. Right now, the changes are happening too fast and without any clear strategy.”
Government Programs Cut or Frozen
Several helpful programs created under the Biden administration have now been shut down or frozen. These include:
- The Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program
- The Local Food for Schools program
- USAID food buying programs worth around $2 billion a year
- Conservation efforts that help farmers improve soil health and reduce fertiliser use
These programs supported school lunches, food banks, and conservation farming. Farmers relied on them to keep their operations running and to prepare for disasters like droughts or floods.
The Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities, a $3.2 billion program that helped farmers grow crops in more sustainable ways, is also affected. That funding is now under review due to Trump’s focus on removing diversity, equity, and climate-related efforts from federal programs.
USDA Staff Cuts Make Things Worse
Thousands of USDA employees have recently been laid off or offered buyouts. This includes local staff who helped farmers apply for loans, disaster aid, and conservation grants. These offices are now closed or understaffed in many places.
In Arkansas, farmer Adam Chappell said, “If things don’t improve, many of us will be forced to shut down. It’s already hard, and now there’s no one to help.”
He added that programs like conservation farming helped him save money on fertiliser and made his farm more sustainable. Without them, he fears more losses.
Farmers Fear Losing Global Markets Forever
China is the third-largest buyer of American farm goods, purchasing $24.7 billion worth in 2024. That’s down 15% from 2023. U.S. exports supported nearly a million jobs in 2022. Now, Brazil and Argentina are stepping in to replace American exports, and experts worry that U.S. farmers may lose these markets permanently.
The global agriculture system depends on long-term relationships. Breaking them—even for a short time—can have lasting effects.
A Bailout May Be Coming—But Will It Arrive in Time?
Most experts believe the government will eventually announce a bailout. But with many USDA offices closed and Congress facing gridlock, it’s unclear how fast the help will arrive—or if it will be enough.
Jesse Womack, from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said: “It makes no sense to cut long-term support, then spend billions to fix the damage. We’re heading for a lot of pain if this continues.”
Even Trump supporters like Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller admit the current situation is tough. “There are concerns,” he said, “but farmers are willing to make sacrifices for long-term gains.”
Final Thoughts
Farmers across the country say they’re in serious trouble. Weather problems, trade wars, and cuts to federal help are creating a perfect storm. Many are hoping for another bailout, but they’re not sure it will come fast enough—or fix the long-term damage.
“We were already in a tough spot,” said Johnson, the Texas farmer. “Now it’s getting worse. Without help, this could be the end for a lot of us.”
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