WASHINGTON – In a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined how the Trump administration is fighting on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers to open new markets and secure better trade deals for the long-term. Hoeven specifically highlighted:
- The $12 billion in assistance announced this week to help the nation’s agriculture producers.
- As chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has been working with the administration to advance the agriculture assistance, and joined President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Rollins in announcing the program at the White House on Monday.
- The funding will serve as a bridge for producers, supporting them until the enhanced crop insurance and improvements to ARC and PLC, which Hoeven secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill, come into full effect.
- The Farmer Bridge Assistance program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with assistance expected to be distributed by the end of February 2026.
- China’s agreement to purchase 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans during the current crop season and 25 million tons in subsequent crop years.
- Hoeven stressed that this means U.S. producers will see a total of 37 million tons of soybean sales to China in little more than a year.
- Progress on securing improved trade terms, including with nations in southeast Asia.
- Last month, Bangladesh committed to purchase $1.25 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next 12 months, a historic improvement in market access to the country for American farmers.
- In addition, the Trump administration secured the near-elimination of tariffs on U.S. goods exported to Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, benefitting commodities such as soybeans, corn, sorghum, meat, poultry and dairy.
“The Trump administration is out there fighting to get better trade terms and a level playing field for our farmers, ranchers and all of our exporters. We appreciate Ambassador Greer and all those across the administration who are doing this important work,” said Hoeven. “The $12 billion in agriculture assistance is a key part of our efforts, as it sends a strong message to China that we won’t allow them to put pressure on us by going after our farmers. At the same time, we’re securing ag purchases, opening up better long-term market access, particularly in southeast Asia, and working to enforce those agreements, including the 37 million tons of soybeans that China committed to purchase between the current and following crop year.”