'National travesty': U.S. farmers hit by Trump's tariffs

U.S. farmers are facing mounting challenges as their President Donald Trump's tariffs disrupt international and domestic markets, causing them financial losses and triggering retaliatory responses from major trading partners like China and Canada.

Most agricultural producers in the U.S. had already planted spring crops or at least prepared the land and purchased production materials such as seed and pesticides when Trump confirmed his sweeping tariff policy.

As a result, agricultural producers who originally grew export crops have struggled to switch to growing crops that might find a domestic market in the U.S., which in turn stands to put many farmers in financial difficulties.

What they say

North Carolina beekeeper Jim Hartman voted for Trump three times, but he told CNN that he has taken a huge financial hit as a result of tariffs and federal cuts.

"I never thought I was going to lose this much money this fast," Hartman said.

Noting that he has bought a year's supply of bottles and corks from other countries, he said "that would have been another five or six thousand out of my pocket."

When asked about his choice to vote for Trump at the last election, the beekeeper said, "Perhaps I should consider other options."

Hartman has decided to repair his 40-year-old forklift truck instead of replacing it, as he said the cost of equipment has gone "through the roof."

China Media Group quoted Ohio Soybean Association board member Scott Metzger as saying: "We fear that the tariffs continue into the fall, even the next year." 

"There is a good chance that we farmers go out of businesses, you could have next generations not want to come back, not able to work out."

John Boyd Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, told NewsNation Prime that Trump's tariffs are a "national travesty" for America's farmers.

Numbers talk

The total value of U.S. agricultural exports was $176 billion in 2024, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Products Export Service. The top five agricultural products in terms of export were soybeans, corn, beef and beef products, nuts, and pork and pork products. 

Mexico, Canada and China emerged as the top markets last year, collectively accounting for nearly half (47.3 percent) of total exports, with Canada and Mexico making up a third of all U.S. agricultural and related exports and supplying 40 percent of all imports.

China was the third largest U.S. export destination with 14 percent of last year's total and Japan was fourth at 7 percent.

U.S. agricultural exporters are now facing a backlash from Trump's tariffs as countries like China and Canada have announced retaliatory tariffs.

Bianca Kaprielian, co-CEO of Creekside Organics in Reedley, said her company has seen a sharp drop in orders from Canada since it imposed a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods. Her family farms citrus on about 200 hectares and typically exports oranges and lemons to Canada and other economies.

"We have seen those orders go down or dry up," Kaprielian told the Los Angeles Times. She feared that losing export markets could lead to domestic market oversupply, lowering prices further.

(With input from agencies)