Food Security: US will offer $3bn relief to farmers amid government shutdown –Official

*United States President Donald Trump’s administration will release about $3 billion in new assistance to American farmers despite the government shutdown, entering 22nd day Thursday

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Donald Trump administration will release about $3 billion in assistance to American farmers despite the United States (US) Government shutdown.

ConsumerConnect learnt Trump administration officials told CBS News that the US Department of Agriculture is also planning to resume operations Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Farm Service Agency.

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The agency runs financial assistance and loan programmes for farmers, according to a USDA spokesperson.

Hitherto, many of the agency’s operations were shuttered due to the government shutdown, agency report said.

Perhaps in a strategic move to ensure food security for American consumers amid the continued government shutdown, President Trump told the Department to give out the $3 billion in aid by tapping a fund that was used in his first term to aid farmers, officials said.

The USDA spokesperson stated: “President Trump is committed to supporting America’s farmers and ranchers and this action will release billions in assistance for farmers that Democrats in Congress have held up for over 20 days.”

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Several farmers have faced pressure in recent months, as China cuts off soybean purchases amid a trade war with the US.

The Trump administration has discussed offering upwards of $10 billion in relief to farmers, CBS News reported earlier this month, report said.

That potential aid package is on the back burner due to the shutdown, and is separate from the $3 billion in new assistance, a senior administration official also said.