“Farmers will be helped greatly": Trump says tariffs will benefit U.S. producers

The 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum is officially in place. President Trump signed the official proclamation last night.

The move includes a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from all countries. Tariffs had already been in place, but there had been exceptions. The move is supported by steel manufacturers in the United States, who have long asked for protections from cheaper foreign imports.

President Trump called the move a big deal and said it is time for great industries to come back to America. The President also talked about concerns that recent tariff action would hurt farmers and ranchers.

“The farmers are going to be helped greatly because they’re not going to be dumping everything into our country. This would be a great bill for farmers. In terms of retaliation, if they retaliate, it’s reciprocal. So, if they raise it a little bit, then we raise it immediately. So, I don’t think it helps for them to retaliate.”

Tariffs have been a big topic out of Washington since Trump took office. There is still a pause on 25 percent blanket tariffs on Canada and Mexico while discussions continue.

Related Stories
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
New Resource Makes It Easier for People to Access Data on Rural Development funded Projects in Rural Communities
U.S. agriculture entered the week with mixed signals as weather, logistics, and markets shaped early-year decisions. Here is a regional breakdown of domestic crop and livestock production for the week of Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
CoBank Knowledge Exchange’s Jeff Johnston shares the group’s positive perspective on expanding data centers into rural areas and weighs the risks and rewards for those communities.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses how January’s WASDE report could impact ARC and PLC payments and updates on disaster relief programs as farmers navigate a challenging market environment.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.