Trump Moves to Appease Angry U.S. Farmers with $12 Billion Emergency Support

by Oh Suyon

Published 09 Dec.2025 10:49(KST)

On December 8 (local time), President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion (approximately 17.646 trillion won) support package for U.S. farmers who have suffered losses due to the U.S.-China trade conflict and tariff policies, including the suspension of soybean exports.

That day, President Trump held a roundtable meeting at the White House with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Agriculture, as well as industry representatives, and stated, "We will allocate a portion of the hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenues the United States receives to provide $12 billion in economic support to American farmers."

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The support funds are scheduled to be distributed by the end of February, with an initial payment of $11 billion. An additional $1 billion will be secured as needed to support fruit and vegetable growers.

President Trump explained that this measure is intended to provide certainty to farmers as they sell this year's harvest and prepare for next year's crops, and to support farmers' efforts to lower food prices. This move appears aimed at appeasing his traditional support base among farmers and deflecting public criticism over high inflation.

President Trump stated, "China is purchasing a tremendous amount of soybeans," adding, "I spoke with President Xi Jinping of China very recently, and I believe he will buy even more than he promised." He further commented, "Our relationship is very good."

He also said, "China has pledged to purchase more than $40 billion worth of soybeans," and added, "I asked President Xi if even more was possible, and I believe he will do so."

The White House announced that China has promised to purchase at least 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the year, and to buy 25 million tons annually over the next three years.