US President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration is prepared to consider fresh tariffs on agricultural imports after American farmers raised concerns about cheap foreign goods undercutting domestic producers. The remarks were made during a White House roundtable meeting where the administration unveiled a $12 billion bailout package for US farmers.

According to Bloomberg, Trump said the government would investigate claims that low-priced rice was being dumped into the US market. Farmers at the meeting urged the administration to take stronger action, arguing that subsidised imports were pushing down domestic prices and hurting American producers.

Farmers raise dumping concerns at White House meeting

During the roundtable, farmers directly pressed Trump to act against countries they believe are flooding the US market with cheap agricultural products. The focus was largely on rice imports, which farmers said were being sold at prices that made it difficult for US producers to compete.

Trump responded to these complaints by stating that countries were “cheating” and suggested that tariffs could follow. He said the administration would examine whether dumping practices were taking place and take appropriate action if confirmed.

The President also raised concerns beyond rice imports, saying fertiliser imported from Canada could be targeted next. He suggested that severe duties could be imposed to support domestic fertiliser production if necessary.

Meryl Kennedy, CEO of Louisiana-based Kennedy Rice Mill, told Trump that India, Thailand and China were among the main countries responsible for low-priced rice entering the US market. He noted that shipments from China were being routed to Puerto Rico rather than the mainland United States.

​Donald Trump said his administration could consider new tariffs on agricultural imports

( Image credit : X/Maga_Trigger | Donald Trump said his administration could consider new tariffs on agricultural imports )

Kennedy told Trump that US producers had not shipped rice to Puerto Rico in years and said rice growers in the southern United States were struggling to compete. He added that existing tariffs were helpful but argued that stronger measures were needed.