President Donald Trump vowed to cut energy and fertilizer costs for U.S. farmers during a roundtable in Chippewa Falls,Wisconsin, Friday. He promised those gathered they'd see changes in agriculture within 90 days, thanks to falling energy prices and diplomatic moves on Iran .
"You're going to see some very good things happen over the next 90-day period," Trump said,stressing farmers would be better off than four months ago. He claimed fertilizer prices would drop sharply, along with oil and gas .
Trump reiterated support for farmers through trade expansion, tax relief, regulatory reforms. "We're with you 1000 percent," he told them,signaling firm backing for agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted hefty trade deficit of nearly $50 billion administration inherited . But she pointed out 19 new trade deals in just over a year,opening fresh markets for U.S. farm goods.
Rollins predicted record exports for dairy,corn, ethanol,and more,saying,"We are going to break every record for dairy, for tree nuts, for corn, for ethanol." Farmers wanted market access over subsidies. Host farmer Ken Custer stressed need for fair competition, saying,"We can compete with anybody in the world. We need fair trade."
Trump echoed this, recalling similar farmer feedback during his first term. "They said we don't want subsidy; we just want an even playing field," he noted.
Trump highlighted dairy export growth,noting jumps: 41% to Japan, 48% to Middle East, 61% to EU,63% to South Asia,85% to Australia. Shows expanding global market for U.S. farm products.
Besides trade,Trump pushed policies like year-round E15 fuel sales, better crop insurance, ending federal estate tax on family farms. He urged Congress to fast-track a new farm bill,saying,"We're very well on our way to getting the farm bill finished and approved."
He argued his administration's moves were boosting farm profits, rural economies,especially after inflation and rising costs. Agriculture still vital to U.S. economy but faces hurdles: higher fuel,fertilizer,borrowing costs,global market uncertainties .
International market access, especially in Asia, increasingly crucial for U.S. agricultural producers. Exports of dairy, soybeans, meat,ethanol are key pieces of this shifting puzzle…
