TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Trump Administration is hoping to help American farmers caught in the middle of the trade and tariff wars.
Trump on Monday announced a $12 billion aid package for American farmers, and he said this money will help support farmers ahead of next year’s harvest and growing season.
The Department of Agriculture specifies that farmers who qualify to receive assistance need to grow products like cotton, peanuts, rice, soybeans, and other products. The funds aim to help mitigate the massive losses that the farmers dealt with because of rising prices and lower sales to foreign countries that were caused, in part, by the trade war.
“This relief will provide much-needed certainty to farmers as they get this year’s harvest to market and look ahead to next year’s crops,” Trump said. “Farmers are an indispensable national asset, part of the backbone of America. I’ve always felt it so strongly. They’re so important.”
American farmers lost billions of dollars in the last year due to tariffs on countries like China.
Soybean sales from the U.S. to China stopped during peak season around September to November 2025 because of the tariffs President Trump imposed on China, and China’s reciprocal tariffs on the U.S.
In Tucson, 13 News spoke to local farmer Scott Robbins, a supervisor at Felicia’s Farm, who believes the money will help many farmers.
“The cost of everything has been crazy high,” Robbins said. “This will be very helpful if we could apply for it, and if we’re eligible, then this would be huge.”
Felicia’s Farm mainly grows crops and products that are mostly donated to other non-profits.
While they don’t export anything, Robbins said he’s unsure whether Felicia’s Farm will qualify to receive some of the aid package.
Regardless, he remains optimistic.
“It’s not going to hurt to apply for it,” Robbins said. “You’re not going to lose anything by applying for it, so we’ll just have to wait and see what we get or what’s available.”
Felicia’s Farm also relies primarily on community donations to keep itself running.
If you are interested in volunteering or giving to the organization, you can donate online HERE.
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.
Copyright 2025 13 News. All rights reserved.