“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
Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage Two will disburse around $16 billion, approved by Congress last year. Sign-ups begin Monday, and producers have until April to return applications.
An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.
Early Cattle-on-Feed estimates point to slightly tighter cattle supplies, reinforcing the need to monitor prices and timing for winter marketing.
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association explains a new resource designed to help farmers comply with ESA-related pesticide label requirements.
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.
CattleCon 2026 kicks off February 3 in Nashville. Kristin Torres with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association joined RFD-TV to share more about what’s ahead at this year’s event.