The Trump administration is rolling out new policies and loan guarantees for American farmers, looking to cut costs for the agriculture industry in an effort to combat the strain felt due to the tariff rollout and the war in the Middle East.
The loan guarantees will cover vegetable, grain and seed farmers, cattle, pig, poultry and egg producers and grocery wholesalers, a White House official confirmed to Bloomberg.
More than 800 farmers gathered Friday for National Agriculture Day at the White House’s South Lawn to hear remarks from President Donald Trump. The president is looking to earn support among some of his most loyal constituents ahead of the 2026 midterm elections as farmers struggle with costs of fuel and fertilizer.
Part of the new guidelines were aimed at “cutting out massive amounts of nonsense” for tractors and trucks that cost farmers “a fortune,” Trump said.
He was joined by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin.
The EPA is changing guidelines that limit diesel emissions as part of its update to the renewable fuel standard for the upcoming years. Trump said he was increasing the volume of renewable fuels that will help demand for farm products.
The Small Business Administration will help administer the loans to qualifying consumers and the loans are going to come with a 90% federal guarantee. The loans are available to “a broad range of producers” in the industry to expand food production and drive down costs for consumers, the SBA said.
The administration also said that the new guidance for the diesel exhaust fluid requirement will allow farmers to switch sensors for diesel trucks and other agricultural equipment like tractors. The SBA said it’s estimated to help save $13.8 billion, Bloomberg noted.
In addition to the expansions, Trump said that he would temporarily lift summer gasoline regulations as prices climb due to the war with Iran. The emergency fuel waiver will allow the sale of E15 gasoline, the EPA announced.
Trump said Friday he was seeking congressional action to allow E15 to be sold year round, earning applause from the farmers in the crowd.
“I’m trusting Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune, two good men, I’m trusting them to find a deal that works for farmers, consumers and refiners, including small and mid-sized refiners,” he said, later adding, “So, the farm bill is going to happen. It’s all going to happen.”
Last year, Trump announced a $12 billion assistance package for farmers who were struggling due to the international impacts from the president’s tariff rollout. Over the last four weeks, the impacts have been compounded by the war in Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused oil and gas prices to go up across the country, as the vital waterway typically transports about 20% of the world’s oil supply.