President Trump is seeking to increase support for the agricultural industry as farmers struggle with tariffs and the effects of the war with Iran.
Soybean farmers will be hit by President Trump’s tariffs
President Trump acknowledged that the tariffs are hurting soybean farmers, the country’s biggest agricultural export.
President Donald Trump plans to tout new guidance on regulating farm equipment aimed at lowering costs and expanding federal loan guarantees for agricultural producers at an event with farmers on Friday, March 27, a White House official told USA TODAY.
President Trump is seeking to increase support for the agriculture industry as farmers struggle with tariffs and the impact of the Iran war, which have affected the cost of fuel and fertilizer.
The president is scheduled to gather more than 800 farmers on the South Lawn of the White House on March 27 to deliver a speech highlighting efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Small Business Administration to support the industry.
President Trump is expected to announce changes to guidelines for the EPA’s system for limiting diesel emissions. The new guidance includes diesel vehicle manufacturers switching to a different diesel exhaust fluid sensor, a change the White House said would save billions of dollars and address concerns about sensors that affect vehicle operation.
Sensors detect when less exhaust fluid is added to prevent harmful emissions.
Additionally, the President will announce an enhanced SBA loan guarantee program for small businesses in the agriculture industry, increasing federal loan guarantees from 75% to 90%.
President Trump announced a $12 billion federal aid package for farmers in December. The Iran war has since compounded the problems faced by the agricultural industry, which has been hit hard by tariffs.
Industry groups say military conflicts have disrupted the flow of oil and natural gas, impacting the availability of fertilizers derived from those products. The prices of gasoline and diesel oil also rose.
Contributor: Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register
