A deep dive into the Trump administration’s $12 billion farmer bailout package
President Donald Trump listens during a roundtable on farm subsidies in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Last week, President Trump announced a $12 billion payment package for American farmers.The money is meant to offset losses from the ongoing trade war with China — which has hit soybean growers especially hard.
In 2018, during Trump’s first term, the administration announced a nearly identical bailout. A journalist who covers agriculture as well as an agricultural economics expert discuss what is driving this latest round of payments, what farmers are saying, and how rising food prices will affect upcoming holiday meals.
GUESTS
Skyler Rossi
Editor, Harvest Public Media
Brenna Ellison
Professor and the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
