US President Donald Trump says Iran could become a major market for American farm exports as Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran. Trump also announced an additional $11 billion relief package for US farmers while promoting expanded agricultural trade and strengthening global export opportunities.
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to open Iran as a potential new market for American agricultural exports, describing the country as a promising destination for wheat, soybeans and corn as his administration continues diplomatic negotiations with Tehran following recent military tensions. Speaking at a White House dinner celebrating American farmers, Trump also unveiled an additional $11 billion relief package aimed at supporting US agricultural producers and helping them recover from economic challenges.
Addressing farmers, lawmakers and senior administration officials, Trump said the United States was preparing to strengthen agricultural trade opportunities with Iran if negotiations continue to move in a positive direction. According to the President, Iran is facing significant food shortages and could become a major buyer of American farm products in the near future.
“We began, and we have another one, a new market coming up. And that’s called the lovely Country of Iran,” Trump said during his remarks. He added that Iran’s demand for food products could create substantial export opportunities for American farmers, particularly in wheat, soybeans and corn.
Trump indicated that negotiations were progressing and suggested that agricultural trade could become one of the first areas of economic cooperation between Washington and Tehran. Although US Vice President JD Vance has previously stated that Iran may be allowed to use frozen assets released by the United States to purchase American agricultural goods, Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed any such agreement.
Alongside the proposed export expansion, Trump urged Congress to approve an additional $11 billion supplemental funding bill designed to assist American farmers. He said the financial support would compensate agricultural producers for losses that he attributed to regulations implemented during the previous administration.
According to Trump, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will oversee the distribution of the relief funds, ensuring that specialty crop growers and agricultural producers receive financial assistance to strengthen production and improve market competitiveness.
The President also highlighted what he described as significant achievements in expanding overseas markets for American agricultural products. He pointed to increased access for US dairy exports into Europe, Australia’s decision to reopen its market to American beef imports after more than two decades, and China’s commitments to purchase additional American agricultural commodities.
Trump further emphasized domestic policy measures aimed at supporting the farming community. These included raising the estate tax exemption threshold for farming families, ending the federal electric vehicle mandate affecting agricultural equipment, permitting year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel and rolling back environmental regulations under the “Waters of the US” policy.
During his speech, Trump also defended the administration’s recent military action against Iran, arguing that it had strengthened the United States’ negotiating position. He stated that the military operation had increased pressure on Tehran and improved Washington’s leverage in ongoing diplomatic discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.
In addition to discussing agricultural policy and foreign affairs, Trump claimed that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had returned to record levels following regional tensions. He also briefly mentioned that the United States stood ready to assist Venezuela after reports of an earthquake affecting parts of the country.
The White House event was attended by senior cabinet officials, governors, senators, representatives from leading agricultural states and industry leaders. Guests included Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.
The evening concluded with a farm-to-table dinner featuring American produce, while attendees received organic garden seeds and homemade tomato jam prepared by White House executive chefs as commemorative gifts.
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The United States remains one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, corn and soybeans. Agricultural exports have long played a strategic role in American trade policy, with successive administrations using food exports to strengthen international economic partnerships. Trump’s latest proposal signals that agricultural trade may once again become an important component of broader US-Iran diplomatic engagement while offering new commercial opportunities for American farmers.
