WASHINGTON : At a roundtable discussion with farmers, agribusiness leaders and senior cabinet members, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Trump claimed that imposing additional tariffs would “solve the problem in one day.” The President announced USD 12 billion in federal aid for farmers while promising decisive action to curb rice imports.
Meryl Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy Rice Mill in Louisiana, told Trump that rice producers in the southern states are “really struggling” as imports surge from India, Thailand, and China (into Puerto Rico). “Puerto Rico used to be one of the largest markets for US rice. We haven’t shipped rice into Puerto Rico in years,” she said. Kennedy added that the issue predates the Trump administration but has intensified in recent years.
When Trump pressed officials on why India was “allowed” to export rice at such scale, Bessent replied that the US and India were still negotiating a trade deal. Kennedy also pointed out that a World Trade Organisation (WTO) case has been filed against India. Trump instructed Bessent to take down the names of the countries alleged to be dumping rice, saying, “Tariffs solve the problem in two minutes.”
Trump accused foreign exporters of undercutting American farmers and said previous administrations had allowed similar scenarios to damage US industries, including automobiles and semiconductors. He insisted that new tariffs could be implemented swiftly once pending legal challenges are resolved. Lower courts have ruled his emergency tariff powers illegal, with the case now awaiting a Supreme Court decision. “That’s why we have to win the Supreme Court case,” he added.
Kennedy told the President that major retail rice brands had also been “bought” by foreign players, claiming Indian companies were subsidising their products. “We’ll take care of it. It’s so easy,” Trump responded.
India remains the world’s largest rice producer, accounting for 150 million tonnes and 28% of global output. It is also the top global rice exporter with a 30.3% share of international exports in 2024–2025, according to the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF). India exported around 2.34 lakh tonnes of rice to the US in FY 2024, less than 5% of its total basmati shipments, while West Asia remains its dominant market.
The US already imposes a 50% tariff on Indian rice, one of the highest in the world. Indian exporters, however, have maintained that they retain a competitive pricing edge. IREF national president Prem Garg earlier termed the existing tariffs “a temporary hurdle, not a long-term roadblock,” saying diversified strategies would help India sustain and grow its presence in the US market.
During a roundtable with farmers and officials, Trump warned of tougher tariffs on rice imports from India, citing concerns over US farmers' struggles. He announced $12 billion in aid and emphasized swift action against alleged dumping. The President highlighted ongoing trade negotiations and legal challenges, aiming to protect American agriculture from foreign competition.