US President Donald J. Trump has indicated that his administration may introduce fresh tariffs on certain agricultural imports, with India’s rice exports coming under particular scrutiny. The warning came during a White House event attended by farmers, lawmakers and senior officials, where Trump also unveiled a $12 billion assistance package aimed at supporting the US agricultural sector.
Trump said that a surge in low-priced agricultural imports — especially rice from India — is putting pressure on American producers. He argued that foreign suppliers must not be allowed to “dump” cheap goods in the US market, adding that tariffs could quickly correct the imbalance. He suggested that revenue generated from such duties could help fund relief measures for domestic farmers.
The President also hinted that fertiliser imports from Canada may face similar treatment, saying increased tariffs would encourage greater domestic production and reduce reliance on cheaper foreign inputs.
While no timeline or specific tariff figures were announced, Trump’s remarks signal that agricultural trade may become a renewed point of tension between the US and its trading partners, particularly India, in the coming months.