Bost says tariff money likely option to help farmers amid trade disruption

Congressman Mike Bost said talks with the administration have focused on whether tariff receipts could help farmers who have faced multiple difficult years, with congressional staff and committee leaders working on eligibility and program design.

"We've been talking with the with the administration on specifically that," Bost said, describing the idea of using tariff money to "help those existing farmers." He said many family farmers have endured years without profit and that targeted support may be required while markets are rebuilt.

Bost cited the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and trade friction with Canada on dairy: "Canada has a 400% tariff on The United States," he said, adding that while a 30% tariff sounds large, the Canadian figure for some products is far higher. He also described a pattern he attributes to China'buying large amounts early in a season and then reducing purchases'which can cause commodity prices to fall and leave farmers with losses.

On the size of potential aid, the host asked whether a $10,000,000,000 fund was on the table; Bost said dollar amounts were still being negotiated by committee leaders and staff and that House and Senate offices, including "GT Thompson," were coordinating figures with USDA.

Bost said officials are weighing which farmers most need assistance and how USDA would administer relief, noting that large operations often have reserves while younger or smaller farmers may require direct help. He urged continued negotiation at the federal level rather than using a shutdown as leverage.

Negotiations over trade and aid were described as ongoing; no final program or appropriation was announced on the program.