Trump Moves Fast to Secure New Trade Deals for America’s Farmers

In less than two weeks, President Donald Trump has used tariffs to push forward a series of reciprocal trade agreements aimed at opening new markets for American agriculture. From India to Argentina, from Bangladesh to Guatemala, the administration says these deals are designed to eliminate trade barriers and unlock demand for U.S. farm products.

Supporters say one message is clear. Trump has not forgotten America’s farmers.

According to a White House release, these agreements are “eliminating trade barriers while unlocking new markets for U.S. exports, delivering lasting benefits for American farmers, manufacturers, and producers.”

Countries Securing Reciprocal Agreements

Here is a list of countries involved in recent negotiations and agreements, along with key details where available:

India
The United States and India unveiled an interim trade framework that lowers tariffs on both countries’ goods, including agricultural products. The National Pork Producers Council said the deal will “strengthen U.S. agricultural market access and reduce and eventually eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers to American goods.”
Senator Pete Ricketts said, “I’m excited India is going to import American ag products.”

The Distilled Spirits Council noted that earlier tariff reductions opened opportunities for Bourbon producers and said they are hopeful this agreement will secure “comparable tariff reductions across all categories of U.S. distilled spirits.”

Argentina
The United States and Argentina signed a reciprocal trade and investment agreement described as sweeping. The deal deepens economic ties and strengthens export opportunities.

Bangladesh
The U.S. signed an agreement on reciprocal trade with Bangladesh.
US Wheat Associates President and CEO Mike Spier called it “a win for American wheat farmers.”
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council said it clears the path for greater market access for U.S. corn producers and creates “instant demand for products that will benefit both U.S. exporters as well as Bangladeshi consumers.”

Guatemala
A new reciprocal trade agreement addresses trade barriers and ensures biotech products approved in the U.S. are automatically approved in Guatemala.
Guatemala also committed to an E10 ethanol blend for on road vehicles and plans to purchase 50 million gallons of U.S. ethanol annually. That translates into demand for roughly 140 million bushels of U.S. corn.

Representative Randy Feenstra called it “major wins for Iowa corn farmers.”

El Salvador
The first reciprocal trade agreement in the Western Hemisphere under this effort.
U.S. corn and distiller’s dried grains exports to El Salvador are already up sharply in the current marketing year.
The Meat Institute applauded the administration for securing greater market access for meat exports.

Mexico and Canada
While not new agreements, the agricultural industry has launched a major campaign supporting the Canada United States Mexico Agreement, known as USMCA. Roughly one third of the value of U.S. agricultural exports worldwide goes to Canada and Mexico. In 2024 alone, agricultural and seafood exports to those two countries generated $149 billion in domestic economic activity.

Nancy Martinez of the coalition said, “We know that he has an ear to the rural communities and farmers and agriculture.”

What Products Are Likely to Benefit

The agreements and negotiations point to expanded opportunities for:

• Corn
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Ethanol and biofuels
• Pork
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy
• Rice
• Distilled spirits

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said exports of 50 million gallons of ethanol to Guatemala would create demand for 140 million bushels of U.S. corn and that “that number will only grow as more of our trading partners add more lower cost ethanol to their fuel supplies.”

The President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Krysta Harden, said, “Securing durable market access and setting clear expectations with trading partners is essential for U.S. agriculture.”

Recent Background: Aid During the Trade War

The push for new trade deals comes after a difficult period for farmers caught in the trade war with China.

China, once the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, sharply reduced purchases during the dispute. In response to falling prices and lost markets, Trump announced $12 billion in one time payments to farmers.

Some farmers described the aid as a necessary bridge.

“It’s a bridge. It’s not the ultimate solution we’re looking for,” said Minnesota farmer Charlie Radman. “What we really want to have is a little more certainty and not have to rely on these ad hoc payments.”

Kansas sorghum farmer Garrett Love said farmers understand that securing fair trade deals is a “hard process,” and that they appreciate the administration’s efforts on taxes and regulations.

Trump also provided $22 billion in 2019 and $46 billion in 2020 to help farmers during earlier trade disruptions. Supporters argue that while aid helps in the short term, opening new markets is the long term solution.

National Farm Security and Agriculture as National Security

Alongside trade deals, the administration has elevated agriculture as a national security priority.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the National Farm Security Action Plan. The initiative aims to secure farmland, protect supply chains, and guard against foreign influence.

Secretary Rollins said, “President Trump is putting America First and that means ensuring our government is working as one to defend the safety, security, and resilience of our food supply.”

Secretary Hegseth added that the Department of War stands ready to defend “America’s farms as vital national security assets.”

What Lawmakers and Industry Leaders Are Saying

Praise from Republican lawmakers has been strong.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain said, “President Trump continues to deliver HISTORIC trade deals that put hardworking Americans FIRST.”

Representative Zach Nunn said the Guatemala deal would send 17 million bushels of U.S. corn for biofuels and boost demand for Iowa agriculture while countering Chinese influence in the hemisphere.

Senator Steve Daines called the India deal “a great step in the right direction.”

Industry groups across sectors from grains to textiles to digital trade have applauded the administration’s actions.

How Quickly Might This Progress

These agreements moved quickly, with multiple announcements coming in under two weeks. The India framework is described as an interim step toward a broader pact. Ethanol commitments and tariff reductions can begin generating demand soon after implementation.

Farmers have made clear they want certainty and stable demand rather than emergency checks. The administration’s strategy appears focused on accelerating reciprocal deals that remove barriers and create predictable export markets.

After years of trade tension and emergency aid, many in rural America see these agreements as proof that the White House has not forgotten them.

As one farmer put it, they do not want to rely on government checks. They want more customers. With new deals stretching from New Delhi to Buenos Aires, the administration is betting that opening markets is the best way to deliver exactly that.