US farmers rally against Trump's humanitarian aid freeze
American farmers are protesting after a decision to freeze funds for the purchase of products intended for humanitarian aid. According to Reuters, this decision has affected soybean and maize producers, among others, who were supposed to supply goods worth $150 million (approximately €145 million).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to purchase soybeans and maize from local farmers for humanitarian aid programmes. These products were to be used in schemes such as Food for Progress and Food for Peace.
However, following January 20th, President Donald Trump froze the funding for these initiatives. The new administration is cutting expenses considered unnecessary by the government.
Farmers in the U.S. are protesting. They won't sell government-contracted products
The decision to halt purchases affected many farmers who had already signed contracts for deliveries. Virginia Houston from the American Soybean Association reported that about 66,000 metric tonnes (approximately 65,000 imperial tonnes) of this product are currently stored in warehouses.
The removal of these contracted purchases from the list of U.S. government expenditures has sparked a wave of protests among American farmers. Farmers fear that halting aid programmes will deprive them of an important market.
U.S.-funded aid programmes provided an opportunity for farmers to access an additional market and promote their products overseas. The current situation, combined with low prices and uncertainty related to a potential trade war, puts them in a difficult position.
