American farmers, who have suffered significant financial losses this year, expressed cautious optimism about President Donald Trump's $ 12 billion aid package. At the same time, they note that these funds are not enough to fully compensate for low crop prices and lost export opportunities due to the Trump administration's trade war, Reuters reports.

According to five farmers, several agricultural groups, four agricultural economists and three bankers, the aid package will help prepare for the next planting season. However, most of them believe that this is only partial compensation and does not solve the problems of agriculture in the long term.

"This support will be a lifeline for those who are just trying to survive until next year. But it is not a long-term solution," said Mike Strantz, vice president of advocacy for the National Farmers Union.

The main drivers of farmers’ losses remain low crop prices, rising labor costs, and the cost of inputs such as fertilizer and seeds. Trade disputes initiated by Trump have led to reduced exports of crops such as soybeans, further increasing the financial pressure on farms.

According to Sean Arita, deputy director of the Agricultural Risk Policy Center at North Dakota State University, farmers’ losses in 2025 are estimated at $35 billion to $44 billion for nine major cash crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat and peanuts.

Trump administration officials emphasize that the aid package is temporary and serves to implement favorable changes to agricultural support programs provided for in the tax and spending bills. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that the ultimate goal is to create strong markets for farmers to operate efficiently and not rely on government subsidies.

A November survey of agricultural lenders by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac found that fewer than half of farmers expect to be profitable in 2026. Liquidity, low revenues and inflationary pressures on costs remain the main challenges, suggesting that American agriculture remains vulnerable even with significant government support.