US President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of imposing new tariffs on several key agricultural imports, including rice from India and fertilisers from Canada. Speaking on Monday, Trump’s comments suggested that formal trade agreements with these nations have not yet been concluded and that negotiations will continue. Bloomberg reported on the development, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty.
At a White House roundtable, Trump met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, lawmakers from farming states, and members of the farming community. Farmers thanked the President for his continued efforts to safeguard their interests. In return, Trump announced a $12 billion support package aimed at boosting American agriculture.
Trump emphasised that foreign imports are putting domestic producers under significant strain. “American farmers are under pressure from cheap imports. We will address this by imposing tariffs where necessary,” he said.
Many farmers have expressed concern that imported goods, often sold at lower prices, threaten their livelihoods. Countries such as India and Thailand have been accused of artificially lowering crop prices, making it difficult for US farmers to compete. Trump stated he would personally monitor the situation to prevent “dumping” practices.
“The US market should not be exploited by foreign rice suppliers,” he remarked. Turning to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump questioned why India is allowed to sell rice at lower prices in the US and whether there are any tariff exemptions. Bessent clarified that the trade agreements are still being negotiated and no exemptions are currently granted.
In addition, Trump indicated that Canadian fertiliser imports could face tariffs to stimulate domestic production. “Much of our fertiliser comes from Canada. To strengthen local production, strict tariffs could be imposed if required,” he said.
Earlier this year, Trump had already implemented a 50 percent tariff on certain Indian products, including a 25 percent tariff related to sanctions on Russian oil imports. His latest remarks underscore a continued strategy of using tariffs to protect American agriculture and ensure fair market conditions for domestic producers.