CT-REQ-3498 Elections Outlook Report 01 TW - Flipbook - Page 27
Trump Administration Agriculture Executive Outlook
Reversal of Climate-Smart Agricultural Initiatives
Deregulation as a Solution to Agricultural Consolidation
President-Elect Trump is expected to dismantle climate-related
investments and programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program
made under the Biden administration, including $19 billion dedicated
to sustainable agriculture practices aimed at reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. Deregulation and reform will be proposing a focus on
productivity over climate considerations in agriculture.
Trump is expected to continue pursuing deregulation to counter
agricultural consolidation, a trend many argue has led to higher food
prices and reduced market options for smaller producers. Republicans
supporting Trump suggest further deregulation could enable smaller and
independent farmers to compete against large corporations in a highly
consolidated industry.
Impact on Farm Labor through Immigration Policies
Reforms to FDA and USDA
Trump has promised mass deportations, aiming to remove millions of
undocumented immigrants, a large portion of whom work in agriculture.
This could severely impact the labor force, as approximately 44% of
U.S. farmworkers are undocumented. His close allies have suggested
eliminating the H-2A visa program, a crucial source of temporary
agricultural labor. Large-scale deportations could lead to labor shortages,
disrupt farm operations, and potentially collapse the sector if replacements
aren’t found.
The Trump administration intends to overhaul parts of the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) specifically targeting departments they view as
ineffective, such as the FDA’s nutrition division, which Trump’s health czar
Robert Kennedy Jr. claims fails to protect public health, particularly for
children.
Aggressive Trade Policies and Tariffs
Trump’s proposed trade strategy includes tariffs of up to 10% on most
imports, with even higher tariffs on specific countries like China. His firstterm tariff policies, particularly on Chinese goods, led to a substantial
decline in U.S. agricultural exports and strained markets for soybeans, corn,
and pork, especially in the Midwest. Trump has pledged to use tariffs to
protect supply chains and promote U.S. agriculture internationally.
