Overview
- At a White House meeting unveiling a $12 billion farm bailout, rice producers alleged that India, Thailand, and China were dumping low‑priced rice into U.S. markets, with some Chinese shipments routed to Puerto Rico.
- Trump told farmers he would “take care” of the issue and asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to note the countries named, with Bessent identifying India, Thailand, and China as the main culprits.
- The president said his administration would consider new duties on Indian rice and floated “very severe” tariffs on fertilizer from Canada, the largest U.S. supplier.
- Officials said the government would investigate the dumping claims as farmers warned that subsidized imports are depressing prices for a sector already hit by a difficult 2025 growing season.
- The tariff signals arrive as a USTR team led by Deputy USTR Rick Switzer meets Indian negotiators on December 10–11, against the backdrop of earlier 50% U.S. tariffs on many Indian goods.