Farmers bear the brunt of attacks on USAID

Tom Zirpoli's commentary highlights the negative impact of the Trump administration's attacks on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on American farmers. While some Republicans support the administration's stance, many farmers, who largely backed Trump, are feeling the repercussions. USAID plays a crucial role in international aid, with a budget of $40 billion that supports food and medical care for millions globally. Cuts to USAID threaten not only international aid but also the American economy, as a significant portion of the aid is sourced from U.S. businesses, including over 40% of food distributed by USAID coming from American farms. Recent actions by the Trump administration have led to the suspension of $340 million worth of agricultural exports, leaving American-grown products stranded at ports. This disruption raises concerns about future sales and market stability for farmers. Additionally, the administration's policies, including tariffs, have already strained farmers' access to international markets. Zirpoli argues that dismantling USAID could exacerbate global hunger and harm the agricultural sector in the U.S., ultimately affecting national security and economic stability. He concludes that the administration's decisions are not only detrimental to farmers but also to the broader American populace.

- Trump's attacks on USAID negatively impact American farmers.

- USAID's budget supports international aid and benefits the U.S. economy.

- Recent suspensions of agricultural exports create uncertainty for farmers.

- Dismantling USAID could worsen global hunger and harm U.S. agriculture.

- Farmers face additional challenges from tariffs and market instability.