Trump Tariffs on "External" Agricultural Products, Boosts Domestic Production

Trump Announces Tariffs on "External" Agricultural Products, Encourages Farmers to Increase Production

President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on "external" agricultural products, effective April 2nd. He encouraged U.S. farmers to increase production to meet the anticipated demand.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump urged farmers to "start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States." He did not specify which products would be subject to the tariffs or if there would be any exceptions.

This announcement comes amidst a growing trade deficit in the U.S. agricultural sector. In 2023, the U.S. imported more agricultural products than it exported, resulting in a record $49 billion deficit.

Trump has previously implemented tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the U.S.'s largest trading partners. He has also expressed a desire to reduce the country's reliance on imported agricultural products.

The administration's recent announcement of a $1 billion investment to mitigate the impacts of bird flu, which has affected egg and milk production, further highlights the focus on domestic agricultural production.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has defended Trump's use of tariffs to protect U.S. farm interests, stating that it has proven successful in the past and will likely be successful again.

It remains to be seen which specific products will be subject to the new tariffs and how they will impact U.S. farmers and consumers.