This comes after US farmers urged tougher action, arguing that subsidised rice imports are battering US markets and pushing domestic prices down. Donald Trump vowed to “take care” of the issue and pressed officials to identify countries accused of undercutting US markets.
US President Donald Trump signalled that his administration is ready to consider fresh tariffs on agricultural imports, including Canadian fertiliser and Indian rice, as he confronted farmers’ complaints about cheap foreign goods undercutting US producers, according to Bloomberg.
Speaking at the White House roundtable meeting to unveil a $12 billion bailout package for American farmers, Trump said the government would investigate claims that countries are dumping low-priced rice into the American market.
Farmers at the table pressed Trump to take a harder line, arguing that subsidised rice imports are battering US markets and pushing domestic prices down. Trump replied that they’re cheating and suggested tariffs could follow. He also hinted that fertiliser imported from Canada may be next, saying severe duties were on the table to boost US production.
TRUMP ASKS FARMERS WHICH COUNTRIES TO TARIFF NEXT
CEO of Louisiana-based Kennedy Rice Mill, Meryl Kennedy, told Trump that India, Thailand and China were among the top culprits, noting that Chinese shipments were going into Puerto Rico rather than the mainland. “We haven’t shipped rice to Puerto Rico in years,” said Kennedy, adding that “us in the South are really struggling”.
“The tariffs are working, but we need to double down,” Meryl Kennedy said.
“You want more?” Trump asked incredulously.
“They shouldn’t be dumping,” he told farmers gathered for a roundtable. He then asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to write down the countries cited by farmers as sources of unfair competition.
As Kennedy began outlining how India could be propping up its rice industry with unlawful subsidies, Trump cut in before he could finish. “Give me the countries if you could? Go ahead. India, who else? Mark it down, Scott,” the US President said.
The Treasury Secretary again listed India, Thailand and China as the “main culprits,” and added, “But there’s others too and we can get you a full list.” Trump responded by assuring the group that he would “take care” of the matter quickly.
Bloomberg reported that both Canada and India have been pushing for trade agreements to steady their economic ties with the United States, but negotiators have struggled to make real headway.
In August, Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, saying the move was meant to punish New Delhi for its trade barriers and continued purchases of Russian oil.
US DELEGATION TO VISIT INDIA TO DISCUSS TARIFFS
A senior delegation from the US Trade Representative’s office, led by Deputy USTR Rick Switzer, is set to resume trade discussions with India this week. The two sides will meet on December 10 and 11 to take up a wide range of issues as they try to push the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) forward.
