U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may impose new tariffs on agricultural imports — particularly rice from India and fertilizer from Canada — as trade discussions with both countries continue to stall. The remarks came during a White House meeting where Trump unveiled a multi-billion-dollar relief package aimed at shoring up the American farm sector, while sharply criticizing what he called unfair foreign competition.
The president announced $12 billion in economic assistance for U.S. farmers, saying the funding would come from tariff revenues collected from trading partners. He argued that aggressive tariff action remains key to stabilizing the farm economy, which he blamed on inherited inflation and suppressed commodity prices. “Farmers are an indispensable national asset,” Trump said. “Tariffs solve the problem in two minutes.”
India became a focal point during the discussion when a Louisiana rice producer described Indian rice imports as devastating for southern growers. After being told that Indian companies own two of the largest rice brands in U.S. grocery stores, Trump responded, “All right, and we’ll take care of it… They shouldn’t be dumping. You can’t do that.”
Trump also signaled potential tariffs on Canadian fertilizer imports, arguing that stronger domestic production must be encouraged. “We’ll end up putting very severe tariffs on that if we have to,” he said, asserting that the U.S. can produce the needed materials at home.
India-U.S. agricultural trade has grown significantly over the past decade, with India exporting basmati rice, spices and seafood while importing American almonds, cotton and pulses. But disputes over subsidies, market access and WTO complaints — especially tied to rice and sugar — have frequently complicated negotiations.
As trade talks continue, Trump’s latest tariff threats indicate that agricultural imports may remain a flashpoint in the economic relationship between the two countries.